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Form 20-F Baidu, Inc. For: Dec 31

March 9, 2021 8:58 AM EST

Exhibit 4.85

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

by and between

BAIDU (HONG KONG) LIMITED

MOON SPV LIMITED

JOYY INC.

FUNSTAGE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

TOPSTAGE TECHNOLOGY LTD.

广州华多网络科技有限公司

广州欢聚时代信息科技有限公司

RUNDERFO INC.

AND

SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF Section 4.3, Section 5.4, Section 6.3, Section 6.4, Section 6.5, Section 6.9 and Article VIII,

MR. DAVID XUELING LI

 

 

DATED November 16, 2020

and

AMENDED AND RESTATED February 7, 2021

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION

     2  

Section 1.1

  Definitions      2  

Section 1.2

  Interpretation      17  

ARTICLE II SALE AND PURCHASE

     18  

Section 2.1

  Transfer of the Sale Shares      18  

Section 2.2

  Consideration      19  

Section 2.3

  Specified Restructuring Steps      19  

Section 2.4

  Closing      19  

Section 2.5

  Payment and Delivery      20  

Section 2.6

  Purchase Price Determination and Adjustment      22  

Section 2.7

  Second Tranche Payment; Third Tranche Payment; Fourth Tranche Payment      25  

ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     26  

Section 3.1

  Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations      26  

Section 3.2

  Conditions to the Buyer Parties’ Obligations      27  

Section 3.3

  Conditions to the Seller Parties’ Obligations      28  

Section 3.4

  No Other Conditions      28  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     29  

Section 4.1

  Representations and Warranties of the Seller Parties      29  

Section 4.2

  Representations and Warranties of the Buyer Parties      49  

Section 4.3

  Representations and Warranties of Mr. Li      50  

ARTICLE V COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PERIOD PRIOR TO CLOSING

     50  

Section 5.1

  Access and Confidentiality      50  

Section 5.2

  Conduct of Target Business      52  

Section 5.3

  Restructuring      55  

Section 5.4

  No Shop      57  

Section 5.5

  Further Assurances      57  

Section 5.6

  Publicity      57  

Section 5.7

  Certain Authorizations      57  

Section 5.8

  Promulgation of Certain Rules      57  

Section 5.9

  Additional Escrow Accounts      58  

ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

     58  

Section 6.1

  Tax Filings      58  

Section 6.2

  Certain Assets Relating to the Target Business      60  

Section 6.3

  General Release      60  

Section 6.4

  Non-Disparagement      61  

Section 6.5

  Target Business Confidential Information      61  

Section 6.6

  Target Business Audit      61  

Section 6.7

  Transition Services Agreement      62  

Section 6.8

  ODI Approval      62  

 

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Section 6.9

  Incorporation of Non-Compete Undertaking by Reference      62  

Section 6.10

  Ticker      62  

Section 6.11

  Post-Closing Cooperation      62  

Section 6.12

  Adjustments to the Fourth Tranche Consideration      63  

ARTICLE VII TERMINATION

     66  

Section 7.1

  Termination      66  

Section 7.2

  Effect of Termination      67  

ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION

     67  

Section 8.1

  Survival of the Representations and Warranties      67  

Section 8.2

  Indemnification      67  

Section 8.3

  Third Party Claims      68  

Section 8.4

  Tax Indemnity      69  

Section 8.5

  Direct Claims      69  

Section 8.6

  Limitation on Liability      70  

Section 8.7

  Investigation      71  

Section 8.8

  Tax Gross-Up      72  

Section 8.9

  Exclusive Remedy      72  

Section 8.10

  Right to Cure      72  

Section 8.11

  Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments      72  

Section 8.12

  No Set off      72  

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

     72  

Section 9.1

  Governing Law; Dispute Resolution      72  

Section 9.2

  Performance Pending Dispute Resolution      73  

Section 9.3

  Amendment; Waiver      73  

Section 9.4

  Binding Effect      73  

Section 9.5

  Assignment      73  

Section 9.6

  Notices      73  

Section 9.7

  Entire Agreement      74  

Section 9.8

  Severability      74  

Section 9.9

  Fees and Expenses      75  

Section 9.10

  Confidentiality      75  

Section 9.11

  Third Party Rights      75  

Section 9.12

  Headings      76  

Section 9.13

  Specific Performance      76  

Section 9.14

  Counterparts      76  

Section 9.15

  Obligations Joint and Several      76  

Section 9.16

  Effectiveness      76  

 

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THIS SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or modified through the date hereof, this “Agreement”) was originally entered into on November 16, 2020 and is amended and restated on this February 7, 2021

BY AND BETWEEN:

 

(1)

Baidu (Hong Kong) Limited, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Hong Kong and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer Parent (the “HK Buyer”);

 

(2)

Moon SPV Limited, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Buyer” and, together with the HK Buyer, the “Buyer Parties”);

 

(3)

JOYY Inc., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Seller Parent”);

 

(4)

Funstage Technology Ltd., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Seller Parent (the “Seller”);

 

(5)

Topstage Technology Ltd., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “New WFOE Holdco”);

 

(6)

广州华多网络科技有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“Guangzhou Huaduo”);

 

(7)

广州市锐橙网络科技有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (“Guangzhou Ruicheng”);

 

(8)

广州欢聚时代信息科技有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (together with the Seller Parent, the Seller, the New WFOE Holdco, Guangzhou Huaduo and Guangzhou Ruicheng, the “Seller Parties”);

 

(9)

Runderfo Inc., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Target Company”); and

 

(10)

solely for the purposes of Section 4.3, Section 5.4, Section 6.3, Section 6.4, Section 6.5, Section 6.9 and Article VIII, Mr. David Xueling Li, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Seller Parent (“Mr. Li”).

The parties listed above are each referred to herein as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.”

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a share purchase agreement dated November 16, 2020, pursuant to which the Buyer Parties agreed to acquire from the Seller Parties, and the Seller Parties agreed to sell to the Buyer Parties, the Target Business and the Contributed Assets on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the “Original Share Purchase Agreement”);

 

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WHEREAS, the Parties wish to amend and restate the Original Share Purchase Agreement in its entirety by entering into this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Li, the Seller Parties and certain Affiliates thereof intend to deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer Parties and certain Affiliates thereof the Non-Compete Undertaking (defined below) on the Closing Date.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the Parties agree that the Original Share Purchase Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

INTERPRETATION

Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

ABAC Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p)(i).

Acceptable Tax Evidence” means (i) written evidence reasonably acceptable to the Buyer that the taxes in connection with the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares have been paid in full, e.g., a receipt of payment (完税证明including a中华人民共和国税收缴款书) issued by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority, or (ii) written evidence that the Seller Parties have received definitive confirmation from the Relevant PRC Tax Authority that the Seller Parties are not required to pay any taxes in connection with the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares.

Accounting Firm” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c)(iii).

Acquisition Proposal” means any offer, proposal or indication of interest (other than an offer, proposal or indication of interest by any Buyer Party) contemplating or otherwise relating to any (a) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, direct or indirect acquisition of securities, recapitalization, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction involving, or (b) sale, lease, license, exchange, transfer, acquisition or disposition of, any portion of the Target Business or of the Contributed Assets.

Action” means any action, suit, litigation, arbitration, investigation, claim or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority or tribunal.

Affiliate” of a Person means (a) in the case of a Person other than a natural person, any other Person that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such Person and (b) in the case of a natural person, any other Person that is directly or indirectly Controlled by such Person or is a Relative of such Person. For purposes of this Agreement, (i) the Target Group Companies shall be deemed Affiliates of the Seller Parties prior to the Closing, and (ii) the Target Group Companies (other than the New WFOE Holdco and its Subsidiaries from and after the Closing) shall be deemed Affiliates of the Buyer Parties from and after the Closing.

 

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Agreed Exchange Rate” means a USD:RMB exchange rate derived from the arithmetic mean of the USD:RMB central parity rates on the interbank foreign exchange market published by the People’s Bank of China on its website for the ten (10) weekdays immediately preceding the tenth (10th) Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

Agreed OP Exchange Rate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a)(i).

Agreed Restructuring Amount” means the aggregate amount, as confirmed by the Buyer and the Seller in writing prior to the Closing, of payments to be made by or on behalf of the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates to the Seller Parties or their designees on or prior to the Closing pursuant to the Restructuring Plan.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p)(iii).

Authorization” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(d).

AVSP License” means the Audio-Visual Service Provider License issued by NRTA to Guangzhou Jinhong on or around February 28, 2018.

Balance Sheet Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(k)(i).

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or another day on which commercial banks located in the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, New York City, the PRC or Hong Kong are authorized or required by Law or executive order to be closed.

Buyer” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Buyer Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.2(a), Section 4.2(b), Section 4.2(c), and Section 4.2(d).

Buyer Parent” means Baidu, Inc., a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

Buyer Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Buyer Releasing Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(b).

Buyer Sale Shares” means (i) all of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Target Company, or (ii) upon occurrence of the Offshore Sale Toggle Event, seventeen percent (17%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Target Company.

Capitalization Table” means the capitalization table and the organizational chart setting out the capitalization of each of the Target Group Companies on a fully diluted basis as of the date hereof and as of immediately prior to the Closing upon the completion of the Restructuring, as attached hereto as Exhibit E (subject to any changes with respect to the PRC domestic enterprises therein made in accordance with the Restructuring Plan).

 

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Circular 7” means Circular No. 7 on Several Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Income Arising from Indirect Transfers of Property by Non-resident Enterprises (SAT Bulletin [2015] No. 7) (关于非居民企业间接转让财产企业所得税若干问题的公告(国家税务总局公告2015年笫7号)) , dated and effective as of February 3, 2015, including any amendment, implementing rules, or official interpretation thereof or any replacement, successor or alternative legislation having the same subject matter thereof.

Claim Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a).

Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).

Closing Cash” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(i) .

Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs.

Closing Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii) .

Closing Net Working Capital” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(iii) .

Company Fundamental Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.1(a), Section 4.1(b), Section 4.1(c), Section 4.1(d), Section 4.1(e), Section 4.1(f), Section 4.1(g)(i), and Section 4.1(h).

Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.10(a).

Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.

Contemplated Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

Contract” means, as to any Person, a contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, mortgage, franchise, license, commitment, purchase order, and other legally binding arrangement, whether written or oral.

Contributed Assets” means all assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology and data that are already owned by the Target Group Companies or are to be contributed or otherwise transferred by the relevant Seller Parties or their Affiliates to the Target Group Companies in accordance with the Restructuring Plan.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, credit arrangement or proxy, as trustee, executor or agent or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to Control another Person if such first Person, directly or indirectly, owns or holds more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting Equity Securities in such other Person, or if such first Person, directly or indirectly, is entitled to appoint a majority of the board of directors, managing partner or other similar governing body or position of such other Person. The terms “Controlled” and “Controls” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

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Determination Time” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(iv).

Disclosure Materials” means (i) the Disclosure Schedule, and (ii) the Seller Parent SEC Documents filed with or furnished to the SEC between January 1, 2019 and the date hereof but excluding statements in any “Risk Factors” section or similar cautionary, predictive or forward-looking disclosure in such Seller Parent SEC Documents.

Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Encumbrance” means (a) any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, deed of trust, title retention, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind securing, or conferring any priority of payment in respect of, any obligation of any Person, including any right granted by a transaction which, in legal terms, is not the granting of security but which has an economic or financial effect similar to the granting of security under applicable Law, (b) any proxy, power of attorney, voting trust agreement, interest, option, right of first offer, negotiation or refusal or transfer restriction in favor of any Person and (c) any adverse claim as to title, possession or use.

Equity Securities” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests, registered capital, joint venture or other ownership interests or any options, warrants or other securities that are directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, such capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests, registered capital, joint venture or other ownership interests (whether or not such derivative securities are issued by such Person).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Excluded Businesses” means all the assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology and data of any Seller Party or its Affiliates other than the Target Business.

Existing Escrow Account” means the “Escrow Account” as defined in the Existing Escrow Agreement.

Existing Escrow Agent” means Citibank, N.A., Hong Kong Branch.

Existing Escrow Agreement” means the Escrow Agreement, dated October 27, 2020, by and between Baidu Holdings Limited, Duowan Entertainment Corporation and the Existing Escrow Agent, as amended.

Existing Escrow Amount” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$80,000,000, being the amount deposited by an Affiliate of the HK Buyer and existing in the Existing Escrow Account as of the date of this Agreement.

FCPA” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p)(i).

Final Closing Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c)(iv).

 

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Financial Statements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(k)(i).

First Tranche Consideration” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$2,000,000,000, as adjusted pursuant to the terms and conditions herein.

Fourth Tranche Consideration” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$300,000,000, as may be adjusted pursuant to the terms and conditions herein.

Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount” means the RMB equivalent of the Fourth Tranche Consideration, calculated at the Agreed Exchange Rate.

Governmental Authority” means any government or political subdivision thereof, whether on a federal, central, state, provincial, municipal or local level and whether executive, legislative or judicial in nature, including any agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, court, department or other instrumentality thereof and any governing body of any securities exchange.

Guangzhou Huaduo” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Guangzhou Jinhong” means 广州津虹网络传媒有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the PRC.

Guangzhou Ruicheng” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Guangzhou Yiling” means 广州奕凌网络科技有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the PRC.

HK Buyer” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

HK Buyer Sale Shares” means (i) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of the WFOE owned by the New WFOE Holdco, being eight-three percent (83%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of the WFOE, or (ii) upon occurrence of the Offshore Sale Toggle Event, eight-three percent (83%) of the issued and outstanding share capital of the Target Company.

HK Company” means Goldenage Technology Investment Group Limited, a company with limited liability incorporated in Hong Kong.

HKIAC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

Hong Kong” means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Host” means individual users of live streaming platforms who conduct live streaming activities on such platforms (including, but not limited to via personal computers, mobile devices, websites and other new social media platforms).

Huya Non-Compete Undertaking” means the Non-Compete Agreement (不竞争协议) entered into by and between Guangzhou Huaduo and Guangzhou Huya Information Technology Co., Ltd. (广州虎牙信息科技有限公司) on March 8, 2018, and the supplemental agreement thereto entered into by the same parties on the same date.

 

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Initial Necessary Assets Disclosure” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(i)(iii).

In-Scope Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

In-Scope Employees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

In-Scope Products” means the items set forth in Part 2 of Appendix B-7 to the Restructuring Plan.

Indebtedness” means, as of any time with respect to any Person, without duplication, all obligations (including all obligations in respect of principal, accrued interest, penalties, breakage costs, consent payments, fees and premiums (including redemption premiums)) (a) for borrowed money and related interest payables, (b) evidenced by notes, bonds or debentures, (c) under capital leases, (d) for unpaid purchase price obligations in respect of any merger, acquisition, investment or purchase of fixed assets or other long-term assets, and (e) in the nature of guarantees of the obligations described in clauses (a) through (d) above of any other Person.

Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(d).

Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(d).

Indemnity Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.5.

Information Technology” means all computer systems, telecommunication systems, software (and the tangible media on which it is stored) and hardware including source and object code, cabling, routers, switched, racks, servers, PCs, laptops, terminals, scanners, printers, all associated peripherals and all other information technology assets, including all documentation relating to the foregoing, (a) owned or used by any of the Target Group Companies or (b) licensed or leased to any of the Target Group Companies.

Intellectual Property” means any and all (a) patents (including all reissues, divisionals, provisionals, continuations, continuations in part, re-examinations, renewals and extensions thereof), patent applications, and other patent rights, (b) trademarks, service marks, tradenames, brand names, logos, slogans, trade dress, design rights, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing and applications, registrations and renewals in connection therewith, (c) copyrights, mask works, and copyrightable works, and all applications, registrations for and renewals in connection therewith, (d) internet domain names, web addresses, web pages, websites and related content, accounts with social media companies and the content found thereon and related thereto, and uniform resource locators, (e) proprietary computer software, including source code, object code and supporting documentation for such computer software, (f) trade secrets and proprietary information, including confidential business information, technical data, customer lists, data collections, methods and inventions (whether or not patentable and where or not reduced to practice), (g) copies and tangible embodiments of any of the foregoing and (h) all other intellectual property, whether or not registrable, in each case, under any Law or statutory provision or common law doctrine in any country.

 

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Key Hosts” means, collectively, Key Hosts Category I, Key Hosts Category II and Key Hosts Category III.

Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contracts” means, collectively, the contracts with Key Hosts and Key Talent Agencies.

Key Hosts Category I” means the top Hosts in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Host that in aggregate account for no less than twenty percent (20%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Hosts in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Key Hosts Category II” means the top Hosts (excluding Key Hosts Category I) in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Host that in aggregate account for no less than fifty percent (50%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Hosts in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Key Hosts Category III” means the top Hosts (excluding Key Hosts Category I and Key Hosts Category II) in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Host that in aggregate account for no less than ninety percent (90%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Hosts in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Key Talent Agencies” means, collectively, Key Talent Agencies Category I, Key Talent Agencies Category II and Key Talent Agencies Category III.

Key Talent Agencies Category I” means the top Talent Agencies in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Talent Agency that in aggregate accounts for no less than twenty percent (20%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Talent Agencies in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Key Talent Agencies Category II” means the top Talent Agencies (excluding Key Talent Agencies Category I) in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Talent Agency that in aggregate accounts for no less than fifty percent (50%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Talent Agencies in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Key Talent Agencies Category III” means the top Talent Agencies (excluding Key Talent Agencies Category I and Key Talent Agencies Category II) in terms of remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to such Talent Agency that in aggregate accounts for no less than ninety percent (90%) of the total remuneration and compensation provided by the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the Talent Agencies in connection with the Target Business during the period from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

 

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Law” or “Laws” means all applicable laws, regulations, rules and Orders of any Governmental Authority, securities exchange or other self-regulating body, including any common or customary law, constitution, code, ordinance, statute or other legislative measure and any regulation, rule, treaty, Order, decree or judgment.

Leased Real Property” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(q).

Leases” means all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other agreements, including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guarantees and other agreements with respect thereto, pursuant to which any Target Group Company or any Seller Party holds any Leased Real Property.

Liabilities” means any and all debts, liabilities, commitments and obligations of any kind, whether fixed, contingent or absolute, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or not accrued, asserted or not asserted, known or unknown, determined, determinable or otherwise, and whenever or however arising (including whether arising out of any contract or tort based on negligence or strict liability).

Licensed Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned by any Person other than a Target Group Company and licensed or sublicensed to any Target Group Company, or any Seller Party for use in the Target Business, or for which any Target Group Company, or any Seller Party for use in the Target Business, has obtained a covenant not to be sued.

Long Stop Date” means the date falling six (6) months after the date hereof; provided that if as of such date (x) the condition set forth in the second sentence of Section 3.1(a) has not been satisfied and the relevant Parties are not then in material breach of their respective obligations under Section 5.7, and (y) all other conditions set forth in ARTICLE III have been satisfied or waived, or are not satisfied but remain capable of being satisfied, the Long Stop Date shall automatically be extended once to the date falling nine (9) months after the date hereof.

Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(a).

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, fact, circumstance or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, results in or would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in or a material adverse effect on (a) the condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business or prospects of the Target Business, the Contributed Assets and the Target Group Companies, taken as a whole, or (b) the ability of any of the Seller Parties and Target Group Companies to consummate the Contemplated Transactions; provided that in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, there shall be excluded any effect on the Target Business, the Contributed Assets or the Target Group Companies to the extent arising out of (i) any action required to be taken pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or another Transaction Document, or taken at the specific written request of any Buyer Party, (ii) changes in general economic and market conditions (including general capital market conditions) affecting the industry in which the Target Business or the Target Group Companies operates, to the extent that such changes do not have a unique or disproportionate impact on the Target Business or the Target Group Companies, (iii) any occurrence, continuation or escalation of natural disaster, pandemic, hostilities of war or any act of terrorism, (iv) changes in Laws (or the application or interpretation thereof) or the US GAAP, or (v) any change in the Seller Parent’s stock price or trading volume, in and of itself and excluding the underlying circumstances or reasons for such change; except, in the case of clause (ii), (iii) or (iv), to the extent having a materially disproportionate effect on the Target Business, the Contributed Assets or the Target Group Companies relative to other participants that are in the same industry as the Target Business (in which case the incremental materially disproportionate impact or impacts may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect).

 

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Material Contract” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(n)(i).

MOFCOM” means the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC (中华人民共和国商务部) or its competent local counterparts.

Mr. Li” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

New WFOE Holdco” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Non-Compete Undertaking” means the Non-Compete Undertaking in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, to be entered into on the Closing Date by and between the parties named therein.

Non-Compete Undertaking Provisions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.

Notice of Disagreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c)(ii).

NRTA” means the National Radio and Television Administration of the PRC (中华人民共和国国家广播电视总局) or its local counterparts.

ODI Approvals” means all overseas direct investment approvals, consents, authorizations and registrations required under all applicable Laws by (i) the National Development and Reform Commission of the PRC or its local counterparts; (ii) the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC or its local counterparts; and (iii) the State Administration for Foreign Exchange or its local branches (including through the relevant foreign exchange banks), in each case, relating to the investment in the Target Group Companies by the applicable Buyer Parties (or their Affiliates) contemplated hereunder.

Offshore Sale Toggle Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

OP Accounting Firm” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(b).

OP Benchmark” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a)(ii).

OP Deviation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a)(iii).

Operating Profits” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a)(vi).

 

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Order” means any order, ruling, decision, verdict, decree, writ, subpoena, mandate, command, directive, consent, approval, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination or finding by, before or under the supervision of any Governmental Authority.

Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, par value US$1.00 per share, in the share capital of the Target Company.

Original Share Purchase Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned, co-owned or purported to be owned or co-owned by the Target Group Companies, or the Seller Parties (or their Affiliates) for use in the Target Business.

Party” and “Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Permits” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(j).

Person” means any natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, trust, public body or government or other entity of any kind or nature. A reference to any “Person” shall, where the context permits, include such Person’s executors, administrators, legal representatives and permitted successors and assigns.

Post 2021 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(d).

Post 2022 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(e).

PRC” means the People’s Republic of China, but for purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

Pre-Closing Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(v).

Pre-Closing Cash” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(vi).

Pre-Closing Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(vii).

Pre-Closing Net Working Capital” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(viii).

Preliminary Closing Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(c)(i).

Profit Adjustment Statement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(b).

Profit Adjustment Statement Deadline” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(b).

 

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Relative” of a natural person means such Person’s spouse, parents, children and siblings, whether by blood, marriage or adoption.

Relevant Action or Inquiry” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.11(a).

Relevant PRC Tax Authority” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Reporting Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(b).

Representatives” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p)(i).

Restructuring” means, collectively, all transactions expressly contemplated by the Restructuring Plan.

Restructuring Documents” means any agreements, documents or certificates delivered pursuant to the Restructuring Plan or otherwise in connection with the Restructuring.

Restructuring Plan” means the Restructuring Plan attached hereto as Exhibit B.

RMB Escrow Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b).

RMB Escrow Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b).

RMB Escrow Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(b).

Rulings” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(r)(vii).

Sale Shares” means, collectively and without duplication, the Buyer Sale Shares and the HK Buyer Sale Shares.

SAMR” means the State Administration for Market Regulation of the PRC (中华人民共和国国家市场监督管理总局) or its competent local counterparts.

Sanctions Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(p)(ii).

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States.

Second Tranche Consideration” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$1,000,000,000, as may be adjusted pursuant to Section 6.7.

Second Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount” means the RMB equivalent of the Second Tranche Consideration, calculated at the Agreed Exchange Rate.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Seller” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

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Seller Bank Account” means a bank account designated by the Seller by written notice to the Buyer Parties no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date; provided that, after the Closing Date, the Seller may from time to time designate another bank account as the Seller Bank Account by providing written notice to the Buyer Parties no later than ten (10) Business Days in advance.

Seller Parent” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Seller Parent SEC Documents” means all registration statements, proxy statements and other statements, reports, schedules, forms and other documents that have been filed or furnished by the Seller Parent with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and available to the public at the SEC’s website, and all exhibits included therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein.

Seller Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Seller Releasing Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(a).

Social Media Account Names” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(s)(x).

Social Media Accounts” means any and all accounts, profiles, pages, feeds, registrations and other presences on or in connection with any (i) social media or social networking website or online service, (ii) blog or microblog, (iii) mobile application, (iv) e-commerce platform, (v) photo, video or other content-sharing website, (vi) virtual game world or virtual social world, (vii) rating and review website, (viii) wiki or similar collaborative content website or (ix) message board, bulletin board, or similar forum.

Software” means any and all (a) computer programs, applications, systems and software, including any and all software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies and any and all source code, object code, development and design tools, applets, compilers and assemblers, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all libraries and collections of data whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow-charts and other work product used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, (d) technology supporting, and the contents and audiovisual displays of, any internet site(s), and (e) documentation and media, including user manuals and training materials, relating to or embodying any of the foregoing or on which any of the foregoing recorded.

Specified Indemnity Matter” means any of the matters set forth in Exhibit I hereto.

Specified Restructuring Steps” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a).

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, which is Controlled by such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, a “variable interest entity” Controlled by a Person shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of such Person.

Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 (i)(iii).

 

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Talent Agencies” means online and offline entities that cooperate with live streaming platforms to provide broker and management services (including without limitation recruiting, training, negotiating business arrangements of, promoting and/or providing marketing services for the Hosts) and have entered into revenue sharing arrangements with such live streaming platform.

Target Business” means (i) the PRC domestic video-based entertainment live streaming business, (ii) business of operating each of the In-Scope Products on the PC platform, the mobile platform and new social media platforms, (iii) the business of operating the end-to-end R&D back-end platform (研发端对端后台) and customer service for the In-Scope Products, and (iv) the business of operating any middle-platform general capacities (中台通用能力) or basic services (基础服务) that currently are primarily used in, primarily related to or essential to any In-Scope Product.

Target Business Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.

Target Business Entity” means any Target Group Company and any of the Seller Parties and their Affiliates to the extent it owns or operates any Target Business or Contributed Assets.

Target Cash and Cash Equivalents” as of a specified time means the cash, cash equivalents (including marketable securities, foreign exchange contracts, short term investments, time deposits and cash held in escrow and security deposits), checks received but not cleared and deposits in transit of the Target Business, less any cash overdrafts, issued but uncleared checks or other negative balances, in each case, as of the specified time and measured in accordance with the US GAAP.

Target Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Target Company Employee Agreement” means any management, employment, severance, change in control, transaction bonus, consulting, or other similar contract between any Target Group Company or, with respect to any Transferred Employee, any Seller Party or its Affiliates, on the one hand, and any current or former Target Company Personnel, on the other hand, pursuant to which any Target Group Company has any Liability.

Target Company Employee Plan” means any written plan, program, policy, practice, contract or other arrangement providing for compensation, severance, termination pay, deferred compensation, performance awards, share or share-related awards, material fringe benefits or other material employee benefits or remuneration of any kind, that is maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to by any Target Group Company or, with respect to any Transferred Employee, any Seller Party or its Affiliates.

Target Company Personnel” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(u)(iii).

Target Group Companies” means (i) the Target Company, the New WFOE Holdco and all of their respective Subsidiaries from time to time, and (ii) any other entity that, prior to the Closing becomes, or is required by the Restructuring Plan to become, a Subsidiary of the Target Company or the New WFOE Holdco.

 

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Target Indebtedness” as of a specified time means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of the Target Business as of such time, but excluding (x) Indebtedness owed by one Target Group Company to another Target Group Company, or (y) any amounts that are included as an offset to Target Cash and Cash Equivalents.

Target Net Working Capital” as of a specified time means (i) (a) one hundred percent (100%) of the consolidated current assets (excluding Target Cash and Cash Equivalents, amounts receivable from a Target Group Company and deferred Tax assets of the Target Group Companies) of the Target Business, minus (b) one hundred percent (100%) of the consolidated current liabilities (excluding all Indebtedness and amounts payable to a Target Group Company) of the Target Business, in each case as of the specified time and determined in accordance with the US GAAP. The Target Net Working Capital may be either positive or zero or negative.

Tax” means any tax, duty, deduction, withholding, impost, levy, fee, assessment or charge of any nature whatsoever (including income, franchise, value added, sales, use, excise, stamp, customs, documentary, transfer, withholding, property, capital, employment, payroll, ad valorem, net worth or gross receipts taxes and any social security, unemployment or other mandatory contributions) imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any local, municipal, regional, urban, governmental, state, national or other Governmental Authority and any interest, addition to tax, penalty, surcharge or fine in connection therewith, including any obligations to indemnify or otherwise assume, bear or succeed to the liability of any other Person with respect to any of the foregoing items by virtue of any Laws or contractual arrangements.

Tax Authority” means any Governmental Authority responsible for the imposition of any Tax.

Tax Escrow Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a).

Tax Escrow Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a).

Tax Escrow Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(a).

Tax Escrow Amount” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$288,000,000.

Tax Grant” means any Tax exemption, Tax holiday or reduced Tax rate granted by a Tax Authority with respect to any Target Group Company that is not generally available to Persons without specific application therefor.

Tax Return” means any Tax return, statement, report, election, declaration, disclosure, schedule or form (including any estimated tax or information return or report) filed or required to be filed with any Tax Authority by any Target Group Company.

Tax Sharing Agreement” means any Contract (whether written or oral), a principal purpose of which is the sharing, allocation or indemnification of Taxes.

 

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Third Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.3(a).

Third Tranche Consideration” means an amount in U.S. Dollar cash equal to US$300,000,000.

Third Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount” means the RMB equivalent of the Third Tranche Consideration, calculated at the Agreed Exchange Rate.

Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Non-Compete Undertaking, the Transition Services Agreement (from and after its execution), the Restructuring Plan, the Restructuring Documents, and any other agreements, documents or instruments delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.

Transferred Contracts” means the contracts that are required by the terms of the Restructuring Plan to be transferred to the Target Group Companies.

Transferred Employees” means the employees identified in the Restructuring Plan, each of whom have ceased or will cease, in accordance with the Restructuring Plan, his or her employment with a Seller Party or its applicable Affiliates (other than the Target Group Companies) and have entered into or will enter into, in accordance with the Restructuring Plan, an employment relationship with the Target Company or its applicable Subsidiaries.

Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement to be agreed and entered into by and between certain Seller Parties (or their Affiliates) and certain Buyer Parties (or their Affiliates) on or prior to the Closing; provided that the Transition Services Agreement shall abide by and reflect the principles attached hereto as Exhibit F.

TSA Escrow Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(c).

TSA Escrow Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(c).

TSA Escrow Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.9(c).

TSA Escrow Amount” means an amount in RMB cash equal to RMB200,000,000.

Unadjusted Portion of the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount” means (x) the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount, minus (y) the OP 2021 Deviation, minus (z) the OP 2022 Deviation; provided that if the Unadjusted Portion of the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount as calculated above is a negative number, the Unadjusted Portion of the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount shall be equal to zero (0).

US GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

WFOE” means 广州熙凌科技有限公司, a company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the PRC.

 

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Wholly-Owned Target Group Companies” means, collectively, (i) the Target Company, (ii) Guangzhou Yiling and Guangzhou Jinhong, and (iii) any other Target Group Company that is, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by the Target Company, Guangzhou Yiling or Guangzhou Jinhong.

Section 1.2 Interpretation. Unless the express context otherwise requires:

(a) the words “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereto,” “herein,” 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;

(b) any statement that is qualified by “to the knowledge of” any Person or any similar expression is deemed to be given by reference to the knowledge of such Person after due and diligent inquiries of the Representatives, Subsidiaries and Affiliates of such Person, provided, however, that “to the knowledge of the Seller Parties” means the actual knowledge after due inquiry of any individual set forth in Exhibit H hereto, and “to the knowledge of Mr. Li” means the actual knowledge of Mr. Li after due inquiry;

(c) the terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa;

(d) any references herein to “US$”, “$”or “U.S. Dollars” are to United States Dollars, and any references herein to “RMB” are to PRC Renminbi;

(e) any references herein to a specific Section, Schedule or Exhibit or to the Recitals or Preamble shall refer, respectively, to Sections, Schedules, Exhibits, Recitals or Preamble of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified;

(f) wherever the word “include,” “includes” or “including” is used in this Agreement, it shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(g) references herein to any gender shall include each other gender as the context requires;

(h) the word “or” shall not be exclusive;

(i) references to “written” or “in writing” include in electronic form;

(j) the Parties have each participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and if an ambiguity or question of interpretation should arise, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption of burden of proof shall arise favoring or burdening any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision in this Agreement;

(k) reference to any Person includes such Person’s successors and permitted assigns;

(l) any reference to “days” shall mean calendar days unless Business Days are expressly specified;

 

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(m) when calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded and if the last day of such period is not a Business Day, the period shall end on the next succeeding Business Day;

(n) any reference to the “date hereof” or “date of this Agreement” shall mean November 16, 2020 except expressly provided otherwise;

(o) any reference to any Law shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Law in effect as of the date hereof (unless the applicable Law addressed matters as of an earlier date, in which case, applicable Law shall be deemed to mean the applicable Law in effect as of that date);

(p) any reference in this Agreement to any agreement or instrument (other than the Disclosure Schedule) is a reference to that agreement or instrument as amended, novated or supplemented; and

(q) unless otherwise indicated, if the conversion or translation to USD of any amount expressed in RMB (or vice versa) is necessary for the purposes of this Agreement, such conversion or translation shall be conducted at the Agreed Exchange Rate.

ARTICLE II

SALE AND PURCHASE

Section 2.1 Transfer of the Sale Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing:

(a) if the Offshore Sale Toggle Event has not occurred,

(i) the Seller shall, and each of the Seller Parties shall cause the Seller to, transfer to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall, and each of the Buyer Parties shall cause the Buyer to, accept from the Seller, the Buyer Sale Shares and all rights and privileges attaching thereto, free of Encumbrances; and

(ii) the New WFOE Holdco shall, and each of the Seller Parties shall cause the New WFOE Holdco to, transfer to the HK Buyer, and the HK Buyer shall, and each of the Buyer Parties shall cause the HK Buyer to, accept from the New WFOE Holdco, the HK Buyer Sale Shares and all rights and privileges attaching thereto, free of Encumbrances.

(b) if the Offshore Sale Toggle Event has occurred,

(i) the Seller shall, and each of the Seller Parties shall cause the Seller to, transfer to the Buyer, and the Buyer shall, and each of the Buyer Parties shall cause the Buyer to, accept from the Seller, the Buyer Sale Shares and all rights and privileges attaching thereto, free of Encumbrances; and

(ii) the Seller shall, and each of the Seller Parties shall cause the Seller to, transfer to the HK Buyer, and the HK Buyer shall, and each of the Buyer Parties shall cause the Buyer to, accept from the Seller, the HK Buyer Sale Shares and all rights and privileges attaching thereto, free of Encumbrances.

 

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Section 2.2 Consideration. The aggregate consideration for the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares (the “Consideration”) shall be a cash amount in U.S. Dollar equal to the sum of the First Tranche Consideration, the Second Tranche Consideration, the Third Tranche Consideration and the Fourth Tranche Consideration, in each case, as determined, adjusted and paid in accordance with the terms and conditions herein. The Parties agree and acknowledge that the agreed enterprise value for the Target Business on a cash-free and debt-free basis is US$3,600,000,000, based on which the Consideration will be calculated pursuant to the terms and conditions herein.

Section 2.3 Specified Restructuring Steps.

(a) Subject to Section 2.3(b), as soon as possible but in any event within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date hereof, (i) the Seller will cause the transfer of all of the issued and outstanding shares of the HK Company to the Target Company at nil or nominal price, so that the Target Company becomes the HK Company’s sole shareholder, and (ii) each applicable Seller Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the New WFOE Holdco to subscribe for, with or without consideration, newly issued equity interests of the WFOE so that immediately after such issuance, the New WFOE Holdco and the HK Company will hold eighty-three percent (83%) and seventeen percent (17%), respectively, of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the WFOE (the actions in item (i) and (ii) together, the “Specified Restructuring Steps”), and (iii) the Seller Parent shall provide the Buyer Parties with evidence of completion of any Specified Restructuring Step promptly after the completion thereof.

(b) In the event (the “Offshore Sale Toggle Event”) that (x) on any date prior to December 24, 2020, the Buyer and the Seller mutually agree that the Specified Restructuring Step set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii) is not reasonably likely to be completed prior to December 31, 2020, or (y) as of December 24, 2020, the Specified Restructuring Step set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii) has not been completed in spite of each applicable Seller Party’s reasonable best efforts to complete such Specified Restructuring Step, then the Seller Parties shall have no further obligation to complete the Specified Restructuring Step set forth in Section 2.3(a)(ii), provided that the Seller Parties shall ensure that the WFOE shall remain wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by the Target Company as of immediately prior to the Closing.

Section 2.4 Closing.

(a) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at a closing (the “Closing”) at the offices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, 42/F Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong on the tenth (10th) Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE III (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions), or at such other time and place as the Buyer and the Seller may agree in writing.

 

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(b) All proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by all Parties at the Closing shall be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously, and none of such proceedings shall be deemed taken, and none of such documents shall be deemed executed and delivered, unless and until all such proceedings are taken and all such documents are executed and delivered by all Parties.

Section 2.5 Payment and Delivery. At the Closing:

(a) Deliveries by the Buyer Parties. The Buyer Parties shall,

(i) pay or cause to be paid to the Seller a cash amount equal to (x) the First Tranche Consideration, less (y) the sum of (A) the Tax Escrow Amount, (B) the Existing Escrow Amount and (C) the Agreed Restructuring Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to the Seller Bank Account;

(ii) together with Duowan Entertainment Corporation (and the Seller Parties shall procure Duowan Entertainment Corporation to), deliver a joint written instruction to the Existing Escrow Agent to release to the Seller (or its designee) the Existing Escrow Amount (together with all interest that may have accrued thereon);

(iii) together with the Seller or its applicable Affiliate (and the Seller Parties shall procure the Seller or its applicable Affiliate to), deliver a joint written instruction to the TSA Escrow Agent to release to the Seller (or its designee) the TSA Escrow Amount (together with all interest that may have accrued thereon), if and only if the Transition Services Agreement has been agreed, executed and delivered as of the Closing Date;

(iv) deposit or cause to be deposited in the Tax Escrow Account, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars, the Tax Escrow Amount;

(v) deposit or cause to be deposited in the RMB Escrow Account the sum of the Second Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount, the Third Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount and the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in RMB;

(vi) deliver or cause to be delivered the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by the applicable Buyer Parties or Affiliates thereof, if the Transition Services Agreement is in agreed form as of the Closing Date; and

(vii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Seller or its applicable Affiliates such amounts (including, to the extent not already paid, the Agreed Restructuring Amount), documents and instruments required to be delivered by the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates at the Closing under the Restructuring Plan.

 

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(b) Deliveries by the Seller Parties.

(i) if the Offshore Sale Toggle Event has not occurred,

(1) (x) the Seller shall transfer the Buyer Sale Shares to the Buyer by executing an instrument of transfer dated the Closing Date and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-1, and (y) the New WFOE Holdco shall transfer the HK Buyer Sale Shares to the HK Buyer by executing a short-form equity interest transfer agreement dated the Closing Date and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-2 (and the HK Buyer shall duly countersign the same).

(2) (x) the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer and the HK Buyer the register of members of the Target Company, reflecting that the Buyer is the holder of the Buyer Sale Shares and the sole shareholder of the Target Company (provided that the Buyer shall have reasonably cooperated with the customary know-your-client process as may be required by the registered agent of the Target Company with respect to the incoming shareholders of the Target Company), and (y) the Seller shall submit to the SAMR all such documents and filings that are necessary for the amendment registration and/or record filing with the SAMR to record the transfer of the HK Buyer Sale Shares to the HK Buyer;

(ii) if the Offshore Sale Toggle Event has occurred,

(1) the Seller shall transfer the Buyer Sale Shares to the Buyer and the HK Buyer Sale Shares to the HK Buyer by executing one or more instruments of transfer, each dated the Closing Date and in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D-1, and

(2) the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer and the HK Buyer the register of members of the Target Company, reflecting that the Buyer is the holder of the Buyer Sale and the HK Buyer is the holder of the HK Buyer Sale Shares and the Buyer and the HK Buyer are the only shareholders of the Target Company (provided that the Buyer and the HK Buyer shall have reasonably cooperated with the customary know-your-client process as may be required by the registered agent of the Target Company with respect to the incoming shareholders of the Target Company);

(iii) the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer (A) a letter of resignation, addressed to the Target Company, duly executed by each of the then-existing directors of the Target Company, and (B) a certified true copy of the register of directors of the Target Company evidencing that the board of directors of the Target Company consists solely of designees of the Buyer (provided that, in the case of (B), the Buyer shall have notified the Seller of such designees no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Closing Date and shall have reasonably cooperated with the customary know-your-client process as may be required by the registered agent of the Target Company with respect to the incoming directors of the Target Company);

 

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(iv) the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered the Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by the applicable Seller Parties or Affiliates thereof, if the Transition Services Agreement is in agreed form as of the Closing Date;

(v) the Seller shall, together with the Buyer or its applicable Affiliate (and the Buyer Parties shall procure the Buyer or its applicable Affiliate to), deliver a joint written instruction to the TSA Escrow Agent to release to the Seller (or its designee) the TSA Escrow Amount (together with all interest that may have accrued thereon), if and only if the Transition Services Agreement has been agreed, executed and delivered as of the Closing Date; and

(vi) the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer or its applicable Affiliates such documents and instruments required to be delivered by the Seller or its Affiliates at the Closing under the Restructuring Plan.

For purposes of this Section 2.5, the performance of payment obligations by the Buyer Parties on the Closing Date shall be evidenced by delivery by or on behalf of the Buyer to the Seller on the Closing Date of an irrevocable payment instruction in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Seller (it being agreed that an “MT-103” or “MT-202” message issued by the remitting bank showing the correct receiving bank account and transfer amount shall be acceptable), provided that, in the event that the funds represented by such payment instruction do not timely arrive, the Buyer Parties shall reasonably cooperate with the Seller in tracing such funds.

Section 2.6 Purchase Price Determination and Adjustment.

(a) Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “Closing Cash” means the Target Cash and Cash Equivalents as of the Determination Time on the Closing Date (or, if the Closing occurs no later than February 8, 2021, as of the Determination Time on January 31, 2021).

(ii) “Closing Indebtedness” means the Target Indebtedness as of the Determination Time on the Closing Date (or, if the Closing occurs no later than February 8, 2021, as of the Determination Time on January 31, 2021).

(iii) “Closing Net Working Capital” means the Target Net Working Capital as of the Determination Time on the Closing Date (or, if the Closing occurs no later than February 8, 2021, as of the Determination Time on January 31, 2021).

(iv) “Determination Time” means 6:00 p.m., Hong Kong time as of the relevant date.

 

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(v) “Pre-Closing Balance Sheet” means the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Target Business as of September 30, 2020.

(vi) “Pre-Closing Cash” means the Target Cash and Cash Equivalents as of the Determination Time on September 30, 2020.

(vii) “Pre-Closing Indebtedness” means the Target Indebtedness as of the Determination Time on September 30, 2020.

(viii) “Pre-Closing Net Working Capital” means the Target Net Working Capital as of the Determination Time on September 30, 2020.

(b) Pre-Closing Adjustment. No later than the fifteenth (15th) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer the Pre-Closing Balance Sheet and the Seller’s good faith calculations of the amounts of the Pre-Closing Cash, the Pre-Closing Indebtedness and the Pre-Closing Net Working Capital, together with reasonable supporting details, whereupon the First Tranche Consideration shall be increased by the amount of the Pre-Closing Cash and, to the extent positive, the amount of the Pre-Closing Net Working Capital, and decreased by the amount of the Pre-Closing Indebtedness and, to the extent negative, the amount of the absolute value of the Pre-Closing Net Working Capital, in each case, as calculated by the Seller in good faith.

(c) Post-Closing Adjustments.

(i) Except as may be mutually agreed in writing between the Buyer and the Seller as to the calculation of the Closing Net Working Capital, the Closing Cash and the Closing Indebtedness, the Buyer shall, as soon as practicable but in any event no later than thirty (30) Business Days after the Closing Date, complete a financial audit of the Target Business and deliver to the Seller a statement (the “Preliminary Closing Statement”), setting forth therein the Buyer’s good faith calculation of (i) the Closing Net Working Capital, (ii) the Closing Cash, and (iii) the Closing Indebtedness.

(ii) The Seller shall have a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after the date on which the Preliminary Closing Statement is delivered by the Buyer to deliver to the Buyer a written notice of the Seller’s disagreement with any item contained in the Preliminary Closing Statement, which notice shall be executed by the Seller and set forth in reasonable detail the basis for such disagreement and any proposed adjustment to such item (a “Notice of Disagreement”). During such fifteen (15) Business Day period, the Buyer shall (i) permit the Seller and its accountants to consult with the Target Group Companies’ senior management and Buyer’s accountants, and (ii) provide to the Seller and its accountants reasonable access during normal business hours to the books and records relevant to the Preliminary Closing Statement. If a Notice of Disagreement is delivered by the Seller, the Buyer and the Seller shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified in the Notice of Disagreement during the five (5) Business Days following the delivery of the Notice of Disagreement.

 

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(iii) If the Seller and the Buyer are unable to resolve the disputed items set forth in the Notice of Disagreement within five (5) Business Days following the Seller’s delivery of such Notice of Disagreement (or such longer period as the Seller and the Buyer may mutually agree in writing), such dispute shall be submitted to, and all issues related to such dispute shall be resolved by, a “big four” accounting firm selected by mutual agreement between the Seller and the Buyer (provided that if the Seller and the Buyer are unable to agree on such selection within two (2) Business Days after the expiration of the foregoing five (5) Business Day period, the Buyer shall be entitled to propose two big-four accounting firms to the Seller, and the Seller shall, within two (2) Business Days of such proposal, select one of the two accounting firms so proposed or, if the Seller shall not have timely made such selection, the Buyer shall select the accounting firm) (the accounting firm selected pursuant to the foregoing, the “Accounting Firm”). The Seller and the Buyer shall submit to the Accounting Firm, as expert and not as arbitrator, for review and resolution all matters (but only such matters) that are set forth in the Notice of Disagreement which remain in dispute. The Seller and the Buyer shall instruct the Accounting Firm that, in resolving items in the Notice of Disagreement that are still in dispute and in determining the Closing Net Working Capital, Closing Cash and Closing Indebtedness, the Accounting Firm shall (i) not assign to any item in dispute a value that is (A) greater than the greatest value for such item assigned by the Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller, on the other hand, or (B) less than the smallest value for such item assigned by the Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller, on the other hand, (ii) make its determination in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set forth in this Agreement and consistent with the US GAAP, (iii) render a final resolution in writing to the Buyer and the Seller (which final resolution shall be requested by the Buyer and the Seller to be delivered not more than ten (10) Business Days following submission of such disputed matters to the Accounting Firm), which, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties with respect to the Closing Net Working Capital, Closing Cash and Closing Indebtedness, and (iv) provide a written report to the Buyer and the Seller, if requested by either of them, which sets forth in reasonable detail the basis for the Accounting Firm’s final determination. The Seller shall bear the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm.

(iv) The Preliminary Closing Statement (as adjusted by the agreement of the Parties or at the direction of the Accounting Firm, as applicable) shall be deemed final (the “Final Closing Statement”) for the purposes of this Section 2.6 and binding upon the Parties upon the earliest of the (i) failure of the Seller to notify the Buyer of a dispute within twenty (20) Business Days after delivery of the Preliminary Closing Statement, (ii) resolution of all disputes, pursuant to Section 2.6(c)(ii), by the Buyer and the Seller, and (iii) resolution of all disputes, pursuant to Section 2.6(c)(iii), by the Accounting Firm, whereupon the First Tranche Consideration shall be recalculated as: US$2,000,000,000, plus the amount of the Closing Cash and, to the extent positive, the amount of the Closing Net Working Capital, and decreased by the amount of the Closing Indebtedness and, to the extent negative, the amount of the absolute value of the Closing Net Working Capital.

 

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(v) If the First Tranche Consideration as recalculated pursuant to Section 2.6(c)(iv) exceeds the First Tranche Consideration as of immediately after the adjustments pursuant to Section 2.6(b), the Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid the Seller, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to the Seller Bank Account, an amount equal to such excess. If the First Tranche Consideration as recalculated pursuant to Section 2.6(c)(iv) is less than the First Tranche Consideration as of immediately after the adjustments pursuant to Section 2.6(b), the Seller shall pay or cause to be paid to the Buyer, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to a bank account designated by the Buyer, an amount equal to such shortfall. The foregoing payments shall be made no later than five (5) Business Days following the finalization of the Final Closing Statement in accordance with Section 2.6(c)(iv), provided that if as of such time the Second Tranche Consideration or the Third Tranche Consideration has not yet been paid, the foregoing payments shall be made concurrently with the payment of the Second Tranche Consideration or, if the Second Tranche Consideration has already been paid, at the time of payment of the Third Tranche Consideration, by way of a corresponding increase or decrease, as applicable, of the amount otherwise required to be paid or cause to be paid by the HK Buyer to the Seller for the Second Tranche Consideration or the Third Tranche Consideration, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.7.

(d) Tax Treatment of Adjustments. Any adjustment to the First Tranche Consideration made pursuant to this Section 2.6 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Consideration for all Tax purposes unless otherwise required by any applicable Law.

Section 2.7 Second Tranche Payment; Third Tranche Payment; Fourth Tranche Payment.

(a) As soon as practicable after the Closing but in no event later than the later of (x) April 30, 2021 and (y) the Closing Date, the HK Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid to the Seller a cash amount equal to the Second Tranche Consideration, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to the Seller Bank Account, whereupon (i) the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliate to) deliver a joint instruction to the RMB Escrow Agent to release from the RMB Escrow Account an amount equal to the Second Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated in writing by the HK Buyer in accordance with the RMB Escrow Agreement, and (ii) in the event that the Transition Services Agreement has not been agreed, executed and delivered as of the Closing Date and the Second Tranche Consideration paid to the Seller Bank Account has been reduced pursuant to Section 6.7, the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliate to) deliver a joint instruction to the TSA Escrow Agent to release from the TSA Escrow Account an amount equal to the TSA Escrow Amount by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated in writing by the Seller in accordance with the TSA Escrow Agreement.

 

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(b) As soon as practicable after the Closing but in no event later than the later of (x) June 30, 2021 and (y) the Closing Date, the Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid to the Seller a cash amount equal to the Third Tranche Consideration, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to the Seller Bank Account, whereupon the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliate to) deliver a joint instruction to the RMB Escrow Agent to release from the RMB Escrow Account (i) an amount equal to the Third Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated in writing by the Buyer, and (ii) an amount equal to all the interests accrued on the Second Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount and on the Third Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount for the period from (and including) the Closing Date through the release of such amount by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated by the Seller, in each case, in accordance with the RMB Escrow Agreement. It is understood that the Buyer intends to obtain all ODI Approvals before the date on which the Third Tranche Consideration is due and payable hereunder; provided that the Buyer Parties’ obligations under this Section 2.7(b) is not conditioned on the receipt of any ODI Approval.

(c) Promptly (and in any event no later than five (5) Business Days) after the OP 2021 Deviation having become final and binding upon the Parties in accordance with Section 6.12(c), the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliate to) deliver a joint instruction to the RMB Escrow Agent to release from the RMB Escrow Account an amount (the “OP 2021 Released Amount”) equal to the lower of (x) the OP 2021 Deviation, together with all interests that may have accrued on an amount in the RMB Escrow Account equal to the OP 2021 Deviation, and (y) the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount, together with all interests that may have accrued thereon, by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated in writing by the Buyer.

(d) Promptly (and in any event no later than five (5) Business Days) after the OP 2022 Deviation having become final and binding upon the Parties in accordance with Section 6.12(c), the Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid to the Seller a cash amount equal to the Post 2022 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration, by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. Dollars to the Seller Bank Account, whereupon the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliate to) deliver a joint instruction to the RMB Escrow Agent to release from the RMB Escrow Account (A) by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated by the Seller, all interests that may have accrued on an amount equal to the Unadjusted Portion of the Fourth Tranche Consideration Deposit Amount, and (B) by wire transfer to a domestic RMB bank account designated in writing by the Buyer, all of the then remaining balance of the RMB Escrow Account (other than the amount released to the Seller pursuant to item (A) above), provided that (x) if the HK Buyer or the Buyer is, as of such time, in breach of its U.S. Dollars payment obligations set forth in this Section 2.7, the Seller shall not be obligated to deliver the joint instruction with respect to the wire transfer contemplated by item (B) above unless such breach has been remedied, and (y) if any Seller Party is, as of such time, in breach of any of its obligations set forth in this Section 2.7, the Buyer shall not be obligated to deliver the joint instruction with respect to the wire transfer contemplated by item (A) above unless such breach has been remedied.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 3.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligations. The obligation of each Party to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived jointly by the Buyer and the Seller to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

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(a) Laws and Orders. No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, prevents, prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. All Authorizations of the PRC Governmental Authorities, if any, that are required to be obtained by any Party prior to the Closing pursuant to applicable Laws (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, the ODI Approvals) shall have been duly obtained.

(b) Actions. No Action shall have been instituted or threatened in writing by any Governmental Authority that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, provided that the provisions of this shall not apply with respect to the Buyer Parties or the Seller Parties if any Buyer Party or any Seller Party, as applicable, has directly or indirectly solicited any such Action.

Section 3.2 Conditions to the Buyer Parties Obligations. The obligation of each Buyer Party to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived by the Buyer in its sole discretion:

(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The Company Fundamental Representations shall have been true and accurate in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies with respect to Section 4.1(g)(i)), (ii) the other representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1 shall have been true and accurate in all respects (in the case of any such representation or warranty containing any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifier) or in all material respects (in the case of any such representation or warranty without any materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifier), and (iii) the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.3 shall have been true and accurate in all respects, in the case of each of above clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of a specific date, in which case only on and as of that date);

(b) Performance of Obligations. Each of the Seller Parties shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements or obligations required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

(c) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred that is continuing.

(d) Restructuring. All the steps and actions of the Restructuring that are expressly required in the Restructuring Plan to be completed by any specific date on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been completed in accordance with the Restructuring Plan.

(e) Specified Restructuring Steps. Unless the Seller Parties, in accordance with Section 2.3(b), have no further obligation to complete the Specified Restructuring Steps, the Seller Parties shall have caused the Specified Restructuring Steps to be completed in accordance with Section 2.3(a).

 

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(f) Non-Compete Undertaking. The Seller Parent shall have delivered to the Buyer a copy of the Non-Compete Undertaking, duly executed by each of the parties thereto other than the Buyer Parties, effective subject to and upon the Closing.

(g) AVSP License. If the Closing occurs after January 28, 2021, the Seller Parties shall have, no later than the earlier of the expiration date of the AVSP License and the Closing Date, caused to be duly submitted to the applicable Governmental Authorities an application to renew the AVSP License for three (3) years and provided the Buyer Parties a written confirmation that such application has been submitted.

(h) Legal Opinion. The PRC legal counsel to the Seller shall have, no later than the Closing Date, issued a legal opinion to the Buyer Parties in a form attached hereto as Exhibit G.

(i) Closing Certificate. The Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer Parties a certificate, dated the Closing Date, duly executed by each Seller Party, certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 3.2(a), Section 3.2(b), Section 3.2(c), Section 3.2(d) and Section 3.2(e) have been satisfied as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.3 Conditions to the Seller Parties Obligations. The obligation of each Seller Party to effect the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived by the Seller in its sole discretion:

(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The Buyer Fundamental Representations shall have been true and accurate in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies) and (ii) the other representations and warranties contained in Section 4.2 shall have been true and accurate in all respects (in the case of any such representation or warranty containing any materiality qualifier) or in all material respects (in the case of any such representation or warranty without any materiality qualifier), in the case of each of above clauses (i) and (ii), on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date (except for representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of a specific date, in which case only on and as of that date).

(b) Performance of Obligations. Each of the Buyer Parties shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements or obligations required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Closing Certificate. The Buyer shall have delivered to the Seller a certificate, dated the Closing Date, duly executed by each Buyer Party, certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 3.3(a) and Section 3.3(b) have been satisfied as of the Closing Date.

Section 3.4 No Other Conditions. Each Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Closing is not subject to any condition that is not expressly set forth in this ARTICLE III.

 

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ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of the Seller Parties. Each of the Seller Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each Buyer Party, except as disclosed in the Disclosure Materials, the following as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (except for such representations and warranties that speak as of a specified date, in which case, such representations and warranties shall be made only as of such specified date):

(a) Authority. Each of the Seller Parties and the Target Business Entities has (or, with respect to any Target Business Entity not already in existence, will have upon its existence) full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by each of the Seller Parties and the Target Business Entities of each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and the performance by it of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

(b) Valid Agreement. Each Transaction Document to which any of the Seller Parties and the Target Business Entities is or will be a party has been or will be duly executed and delivered by such party and constitutes, or when executed and delivered in accordance herewith will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

(c) Non-Contravention; Litigation. Neither the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which any of the Seller Parties and the Target Business Entities is or will be a party nor the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions will (i) violate any organizational document of such Seller Party or Target Business Entity or violate any Law or Order to which such Seller Party or Target Business Entity is subject or (ii) except as set forth in Section 4.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an Encumbrance under or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel any Contract to which such Seller Party or Target Business Entity is a party, by which such Seller Party or Target Business Entity is bound or to which any of the assets of such Seller Party or Target Business Entity are subject, except in the case of sub-clause (ii) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of any of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened in writing against any Seller Party or Target Business Entity that (i) seeks to invalidate this Agreement or the right of any Seller Party or Target Business Entity to enter into each Transaction Document to which it/he is or will be a party or to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, or (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(d) Consents and Approvals. None of the execution and delivery of any Transaction Document to which any Seller Party or Target Business Entity is or will be a party, the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions nor the performance by any Seller Party or Target Business Entity of each Transaction Document to which such Seller Party or Target Business Entity is or will be a party in accordance with its terms requires any consent, approval, order, license or authorization of, registration, certificate, declaration or filing with or notice to any Governmental Authority or any other Person (each, an “Authorization”) on the part of any Seller Party or its Affiliates or the Target Business Entity, except (i) the filings and registrations with SAMR and MOFCOM in connection with the Restructuring, the Specified Restructuring Steps and the Contemplated Transactions, in each case as explicitly set forth in the Restructuring Plan, (ii) the Authorizations referred to in Section 3.1(a), (iii) for compliance with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or (iv) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect (x) the ability of any of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities to consummate the Contemplated Transactions or (y) the condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business or prospects of the Target Business, the Contributed Assets and the Target Group Companies, taken as a whole.

(e) Ownership of Sale Shares. The Seller will be, upon the completion of the Specified Restructuring Step described in Section 2.3(a)(i), the record and beneficial owner of the Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances. The New WFOE Holdco will be, upon the completion of the Specified Restructuring Step described in Section 2.3(a)(ii), the record and beneficial owner of the HK Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances. Upon the occurrence of the Offshore Sale Toggle Event, the Seller will be the record and beneficial owner of the Buyer Sale Shares and the HK Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

(f) Due Formation. Each Seller Party and Target Business Entity is (or, with respect to any Target Business Entity not already in existence, will be upon its existence) duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization, and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted. The Seller Parties have furnished or made available to the Buyer Parties a complete and correct copy of the organizational documents, each as amended to date, of each Seller Party and Target Business Entity. Such organizational documents are in full force and effect. No Seller Party or Target Business Entity is in violation of any of the provisions of its organizational documents in connection with the Contemplated Transactions. HK Company directly owns one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the WFOE as of the date hereof.

(g) Capitalization.

(i) (1) The authorized share capital of the Target Company is US$50,000 divided into a total of 50,000 Ordinary Shares, 50,000 of which are issued and outstanding and will be owned, directly or indirectly through wholly-owned subsidiaries, by the Seller; (2) all of the outstanding Equity Securities in the Target Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances created hereunder); and (3) except as set forth in sub-clause (1), (A) there are no outstanding Equity Securities in the Target Company, (B) no Equity Securities in the Target Company are subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or first offer or other rights to purchase such Equity Securities or any other rights with respect to such Equity Securities (except as provided hereunder), (C) the Target Company is not a party or subject to any Contract that affects or relates to the voting or giving of written consents with respect to any Equity Securities in the Target Company, (D) there are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Target Company to issue, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities, and (E) there are no dividends that have accrued or been declared but are unpaid by the Target Company.

 

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(ii) With respect to each Target Group Company other than the Target Company, subject to any changes to the capitalization of the domestic enterprises that are made in accordance with the Restructuring Plan: (1) the Capitalization Table accurately describes the capitalization of such Target Group Company on a fully diluted basis as of the date hereof and as of the Closing , reflecting all the currently outstanding Equity Securities in such Target Group Company and the record and beneficial holders thereof, and the name and jurisdiction of organization of such Target Group Company, (2) all of the outstanding Equity Securities in each Target Group Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Encumbrances, and (3) except for the outstanding Equity Securities set forth in the Capitalization Table and except as expressly contemplated by the Restructuring Plan, (A) there are no outstanding Equity Securities in such Target Group Company, (B) no Equity Securities in such Target Group Company are subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or first offer or other rights to purchase such Equity Securities or any other rights with respect to such Equity Securities, (C) such Target Group Company is not a party or subject to any Contract that affects or relates to the voting or giving of written consents with respect to any Equity Securities in such Target Group Company, (D) there are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Target Group Company to issue, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Securities, and (E) there are no dividends that have accrued or been declared but are unpaid by such Target Group Company.

(h) Due Delivery. The Sale Shares, when delivered to and paid for by the Buyer Parties pursuant to this Agreement, will be fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Encumbrances. Upon delivery and entry into the register of members of the Target Company of the Buyer Sale Shares or the HK Buyer Sale Shares, the Buyer or the HK Buyer, as applicable, shall have good and valid title to the Buyer Sale Shares or the HK Buyer Sale Shares, as applicable, free and clear of all Encumbrances. Upon delivery and entry into the register of members of the Target Company of the Buyer Sale Shares, the Buyer shall have good and valid title to the Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances. In the case of Section 2.5(b)(i), upon the effectiveness of the amendment registration and/or record filing with the SAMR to record the transfer of the HK Buyer Sale Shares to the HK Buyer as contemplated by Section 2.5(b)(i)(2)(y), the HK Buyer shall have good and valid title to the HK Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances. In the case of Section 2.5(b)(ii), upon delivery and entry into the register of members of the Target Company of the HK Buyer Sale Shares, the HK Buyer shall have good and valid title to the HK Buyer Sale Shares, free and clear of all Encumbrances.

 

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(i) Target Business; Contributed Assets. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule:

(i) Ordinary Course. The Target Business is being carried on in the ordinary course of business and is a going concern. There is no existing fact or circumstance that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Target Business.

(ii) Sufficiency of Assets; Contributed Assets. As of the Closing Date, the Contributed Assets, Transferred Contracts and Transferred Employees, taken as a whole, constitute all of the assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts necessary and sufficient to conduct the Target Business in the same manner as currently conducted. Each of Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D and Appendix E of the Restructuring Plan sets forth a true and correct list of all Contributed Assets within that asset category. Upon the completion of the Restructuring, the Target Group Companies will have good and marketable title in and to each of the Contributed Assets, free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances disclosed in or contemplated by the Restructuring Plan, or disclosed in Section 4.1(i) of the Disclosure Schedule).

(iii) Full Disclosure of Necessary Assets. The Seller Parties have, as of the date hereof, provided to the Buyer Parties a complete list of any and all assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts of or at the disposal of any Seller Party or its Affiliates or the Target Business Entity that were, as of September 30, 2020, necessary for the conduct of the Target Business, whether or not those assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts are Contributed Assets (such disclosure, the “Initial Necessary Assets Disclosure”), and none of the assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts so disclosed has been disposed of or terminated by the Seller Party or its Affiliates or the Target Business Entity as of the date hereof. No later than the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties will have provided to the Buyer Parties a complete list of any and all assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts of or at the disposal of any Seller Party or its Affiliates or the Target Business Entity necessary for the conduct of the Target Business as conducted as of the date hereof, whether or not those assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts are Contributed Assets, by way of making supplemental written disclosure (such disclosure, the “Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure”) to the Buyer Parties.

(iv) The Contributed Assets have been maintained in accordance with prudent practice in all material respects and in compliance with Laws in all material respects in the preceding three (3) years.

 

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(v) Section 4.1(i)(v) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of the businesses in the YY segment of the Excluded Business (other than any such business that is expected to generate an annual revenue of less than US$1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020).

(vi) Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contracts . Without limiting the foregoing clauses (i) to (iii) and Section 4.1(n),

(1) Section 4.1(i)(vi) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of contracts with Key Hosts Category II, Key Hosts Category III, Key Talent Agencies Category II and Key Talent Agencies Category III as of the date hereof;

(2) all Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contracts are being carried on in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with normal industry practice for companies engaged in businesses similar to that of the Target Business;

(3) except as disclosed in Section 4.1(i)(vi) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contract is a valid and binding agreement and is in full force and effect, and none of the Target Business Entities, Key Hosts Category II, Key Hosts Category III, Key Talent Agencies Category II and Key Talent Agencies Category III is, in default or breach of any Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contract in any material respect and no event or circumstance has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach by the Target Business Entities in any material respect thereunder; and

(4) except as disclosed in Section 4.1(i)(vi) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Seller Parties and their Affiliates has any reason to believe it would terminate the contracts with any of the Key Hosts Category I, Key Hosts Category II, Key Talent Agencies Category I and Key Talent Agencies Category II prior to the expiration date indicated in the respective contract and none of the Key Hosts Category I, Key Hosts Category II, Key Talent Agencies Category I and Key Talent Agencies Category II has indicated in writing or given written notice to the Seller Parties or their Affiliates to terminate any Key Hosts and Talent Agencies Contracts prior to the expiration date indicated in the respective contract.

(j) Permits. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) at the Closing, each of the Target Group Companies will be in possession of all material licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, approvals or other similar authorizations of any Governmental Authority necessary to own, lease, operate and use its properties and assets or to carry on the Target Business (the “Permits”) and such Permits are valid and in full force and effect; (ii) each of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) are in possession of all Permits and such Permits are valid and in full force and effect; (iii) no Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) is in default under, and no condition exists that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default under, the Permits; and (iv) none of the Permits will be terminated or impaired or become terminable, in whole or in part, as a result of the Contemplated Transactions. None of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) is a party to any Action seeking the revocation, suspension, termination, modification or impairment of any Permit.

 

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(k) Financial Statements; No Undisclosed Liabilities.

(i) The Seller Parties have made available to the Buyer the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Target Business as of December 31, 2018, December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2020 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 and for the six (6) months ended June 30, 2020 (the “Balance Sheet Date”) (collectively, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Target Business as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, in conformity with the US GAAP applied on a consistent basis. The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) have prepared and maintained their financial accounts, based on which the Financial Statements have been prepared, on a consistent basis in accordance with applicable Laws and US GAAP in all material respects. The accounting records of the Target Business are in the Target Business Entities’ possession or under their control and have been maintained in accordance with applicable Laws and US GAAP in all material respects.

(ii) There are no liabilities or obligations of the Target Business that would be required to be disclosed on a consolidated balance sheet of the Target Business in accordance with the US GAAP, other than (1) liabilities or obligations reflected on, reserved against, or disclosed in the Financial Statements, and (2) liabilities incurred after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and any liabilities incurred pursuant to this Agreement.

(iii) Section 4.1(k)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete list of each intercompany balance in excess of US$100,000 as of the Balance Sheet Date between the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates (other than the Target Group Companies), on the one hand, and the Target Group Companies, on the other hand. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been any accrual of Liabilities that are, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of US$100,000 by any Target Group Company to the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates (other than the Target Group Companies) or any other transactions that are, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of US$100,000 between any Target Group Company and the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates (other than the Target Group Companies).

 

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(l) Absence of Certain Changes.

(i) Since the Balance Sheet Date, the business of the Target Group Companies and the Target Business have been conducted in the ordinary course consistent with past practices and there has not been any event, development or circumstances that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) From the Balance Sheet Date until the date hereof, there has not been any action taken by any Target Business Entity (other than any action explicitly set forth in the Restructuring Plan) that, if taken during the period from the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date without the Buyer’s express consent, would constitute a breach of Section 5.2.

(m) Restructuring Plan; Restructuring Documents. Each Restructuring Document to which any Target Business Entity is or will be a party will, upon execution, constitute legal, valid and binding obligation of each party thereto, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies. The execution, delivery and performance of, and compliance with, the Restructuring Plan and the Restructuring Documents by the parties thereto will not result in any violation, breach or default, with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, of any organizational document of any Target Business Entity, and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of any Target Business Entities to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, any Contract to which any Target Business Entity is a party or by which any Target Business Entity or Contributed Assets is bound, or any Law or Order to which any Target Business Entity is subject to.

(n) Material Contracts.

(i) Each Contract described in Section 4.1(n)(ii)(1) through Section 4.1(n)(ii)(18), whether or not disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, to which any of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) or by which any of the Contributed Assets is bound (other than Contracts under which all rights, obligations and liabilities have been terminated, or Contracts that are expired, fully performed or are expressed to be not legally binding), is referred to herein as a “Material Contract.” Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(n)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract is a valid and binding agreement and is in full force and effect, and none of the Target Business Entities, and to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, none of the other parties thereto is, in default or breach of any such Material Contract in any material respect, and no event or circumstance has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default or breach by the Target Business Entities in any material respect thereunder. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(n)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule, true and complete copies of each such Material Contract as of the date hereof have been delivered or made available to the Buyer or its representatives.

 

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(ii) Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(n)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) or the Contributed Assets is a party to or bound by any of the following (other than Contracts under which all rights, obligations and liabilities have been terminated, or Contracts that are expired, fully performed or are expressed to be not legally binding):

(1) any Contract relating to the issuance of any Equity Securities of any Target Business Entity;

(2) any Contract (other than Contracts with Hosts and Talent Agencies) that involves payments (or a series of payments) to or from any Person, contingent or otherwise, of RMB1,000,000 or more individually, or RMB10,000,000 or more in the aggregate with respect to a series of related agreements, in cash, property or services;

(3) any partnership, joint venture strategic alliance, strategic cooperation, joint operation, third partner operation or other similar Contract or arrangement;

(4) any Contract relating to the acquisition or disposition of any business (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);

(5) any Contract relating to Indebtedness or any guarantee of such Indebtedness (in either case, whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset);

(6) any Contract involving the waiver, compromise, or settlement of any material Action involving a claim in excess of RMB1,000,000;

(7) any agency, dealer, sales representative, marketing or other similar Contract with payment obligation in excess of RMB1,000,000;

(8) any Contract that limits the freedom of any Target Business Entity to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any area or which would so limit the freedom of any Target Group Company after the Closing Date;

 

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(9) any Contract with an amount in excess of RMB1,000,000 between any Target Business Entity on the one hand and (A) the Seller Parties or any of their Affiliates (other than the Target Business Entities), (B) any director or officer of any Target Business Entity or of any Person described in clause (A), or (C) any Affiliate of any natural person described in clause (A) or (B), on the other hand, except for the employment agreements relating to services as employees, officers or directors of any Target Business Entity and the Transaction Documents;

(10) any Contract with Governmental Authorities;

(11) any Contract that involves prohibition of payment of dividends or distributions in respect of the Equity Securities of any Target Business Entity;

(12) any Contract that will be terminated or varied upon a change of control involving any Target Business Entity or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, will subject such change of control or the Contemplated Transactions to the consent of any Person or will trigger any payment by any Target Business Entity and their Affiliates to any Person as a result of such change of control or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions;

(13) any Contract (including license agreements, research agreements, development agreements, distribution agreements, settlement agreements, consent to use agreements and covenant not to sue) with an amount in excess of RMB1,000,000 pursuant to which any Target Business Entity obtains the right to use or a covenant not to be sued under, any Intellectual Property or grants the right to use, or a covenant not to be sued under, any Intellectual Property;

(14) any Contract that involves any provision relating to “exclusivity”, “most favored nation” status, right of first refusal or first negotiation or similar rights, or that grants a power of attorney, agency or similar authority (other than instruments granting power of attorney or agency to corporate service providers);

(15) any Contract with any third party who, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, is engaging in the business directly or indirectly competing with the Target Business;

(16) any Contract with Key Hosts Category I or Key Talent Agencies Category I;

(17) any cooperative agreement in relation to the Target Business, including without limitation “联运合作协议”; or

(18) any other Contract not made in the ordinary course of business and material to the Target Business.

 

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(o) Compliance with Laws. During the preceding three (3) years, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business or prospects of the Target Business, the Contributed Assets and the Target Group Companies, taken as a whole, (i) none of the Target Group Companies has been in violation of any applicable Law or Order, and (ii) none of the Seller Parties or their respective Affiliates has been in violation of any applicable Law or Order with respect to the operation of the Target Business or the Contributed Assets.

(p) Anti-bribery, Anti-corruption, Anti-money Laundering and Sanctions.

(i) Anti-bribery and Anti-corruption. Each of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business), including their respective directors, officers and employees, and to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, their respective Affiliates, including the Affiliates’ respective directors, officers and employees, independent contractors, representatives, agents and other Persons acting on their behalf (collectively, the “Representatives”), in connection with the operation or dealings of any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business), is and has been in compliance with all applicable Laws relating to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, anti-corruption-related record keeping and internal control Laws (collectively, the “ABAC Laws”). Without limiting the foregoing, neither any Seller Party or Target Business Entity nor to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, any of its Representatives has, in connection with the operation or dealings of any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business): directly or indirectly, offered, authorized, promised, condoned, participated in, consummated, or received notice of any allegation or request for information of, or has information that indicates a likelihood of (1) the making of any gift or payment of anything of value to any public official by any Person to obtain any improper advantage, affect or influence any act or decision of any such public official, or assist any Seller Party or Target Business Entity in obtaining or retaining business for, or with, or directing business to, any Person; (2) the taking of any action by any Person which (A) would violate the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”), if taken by an entity subject to the FCPA, (B) would violate the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, if taken by an entity subject to the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, or (C) could constitute a violation of any applicable ABAC Law; (3) the making of any false or fictitious entries in the books or records of any Seller Party or Target Business Entity by any Person; or (4) the using of any assets of any Seller Party or Target Business Entity for the establishment of any unlawful or unrecorded fund of monies or other assets, or the making of any unlawful or undisclosed payment. Each of the Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has established or is subject to adequate internal controls and procedures intended to ensure compliance with the ABAC Laws.

 

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(ii) Sanctions. None of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business), or to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, any of their respective Representatives, is owned or Controlled by a Person that is targeted by or the subject of any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or by the U.S. Department of State, or any sanctions imposed by the European Union (including under Council Regulation (EC) No. 194/2008), the United Nations Security Council, Her Majesty’s Treasury or any other relevant Governmental Authority or has engaged in any activities that would be in violation of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as amended or the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended, or sanctions and measures imposed by the United Nations or any other relevant Governmental Authority (collectively, the “Sanctions Laws”). None of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business), including their respective directors, officers or employees, or to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, any of their respective Representatives, has been investigated or is being investigated or is subject to a pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened investigation in relation to any Sanctions Laws by any law enforcement, regulatory or other Governmental Authority or any customer or supplier, or has admitted to, or been found by a court in any jurisdiction to have engaged in any violation of any applicable Sanctions Laws or been debarred from bidding for any contract or business relating to Sanctions Laws, and, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, there are no circumstances which are likely to give rise to any such investigation, admission, finding or disbarment.

(iii) Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) conduct business, the rule and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by the relevant Governmental Authorities (including, to the extent applicable, the United State Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970) (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”). The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the

 

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Target Business) have instituted, maintained and enforced adequate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws to the extent required by applicable Law. None of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) have been penalized for or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened to be charged with, or given notice of any violation of, or under investigation with respect to, any Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and no Action by or before any court, Governmental Authority or any arbitrator involving any alleged violation of applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws by any of the Seller Parties or Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) is pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened.

(q) Properties.

(i) None of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) owns any real property. Section 4.1(q)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth the address of the location of each leasehold or sub-leasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any land, buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures or other interest in real property held by any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Leased Real Property”), and a true and complete list of all Leases (including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with respect thereto) for each such Leased Real Property. Each Target Business Entity has a valid leasehold interest in all of its Leased Real Property free and clear of any and all Encumbrances. With respect to each Lease, (1) such Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, (2) the possession and quiet enjoyment of the Leased Real Property by the applicable Target Business Entity under such Lease has not been disturbed and there are no disputes with respect to such Lease in any material respect, and (3) neither any Target Business Entity nor, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, any other party to the Lease is in breach or default under such Lease in any material respect, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with the delivery of notice, the passage of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default by the applicable Target Business Entity in any material respect, or permit the termination, modification or acceleration of rent under such Lease. Each Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, as applicable, all personal property used in its business free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, and such personal property is in good operating condition and repair in all material respects.

 

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(ii) Each Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has good and valid title to all of its respective assets (including without limitation upon being transferred to the applicable Target Business Entity in accordance with the Restructuring Plan, all personal properties included in the Contributed Assets), whether tangible or intangible, in each case free and clear of all Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances disclosed in or explicitly provided in the Restructuring Plan or disclosed in Section 4.1(q)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule). Except for leased or licensed assets, no Person other than such Target Business Entity owns any interest in any such assets. All machinery, vehicles, equipment and other tangible personal property owned or leased by any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) are (1) in good condition and repair in all material respects (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and (2) not obsolete or in need in any respect of renewal or replacement, except for renewal or replacement in the ordinary course of business. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(q) of the Disclosure Schedule or otherwise expressly contemplated by the Restructuring Plan, there are no material facilities, services, assets or properties used by any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) which are shared with any other Person that is not a Target Business Entity.

(r) Tax Matters.

(i) Filing and Payment. (1) All Tax Returns have been filed when due in accordance with all applicable Laws in all material respects; (2) all Tax Returns that have been filed were true and complete in all material respects; and (3) all Taxes shown as due and payable on any Tax Return have been timely paid, or withheld and remitted, to the appropriate Governmental Authority in all material respects. Without limiting the foregoing, each Target Business Entity has timely paid (or has caused to be paid), or has withheld and remitted (or caused to be withheld and remitted) to the appropriate Governmental Authority for Taxes related to the Contributed Assets in all material respects.

(ii) Retention of Tax Information. The Target Business Entities have maintained proper, accurate and adequate records to enable each of them to comply in all material respects with its obligations to (1) prepare any accounts necessary to comply with the Tax Law; and (2) retain necessary records as to comply with the Tax Law. The records referred to in tax warranty have been retained for the period required by applicable Law and will be available to the Buyer Parties upon request.

 

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(iii) Financial Records. The charges, accruals and reserves for Taxes with respect to the Target Business Entities reflected on the books of the Target Business Entities are adequate to cover Tax liabilities accruing through the end of the last period for which the Target Business Entities ordinarily record items on their respective books. Since the end of the last period for which the Target Business Entities ordinarily record items on their respective books, no Target Business Entity has engaged in any transaction, or taken any other action, other than in the ordinary course of business, that would impact any Tax asset or Tax liability of any Target Business Entity in any material respect.

(iv) Procedure and Compliance. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(r)(iv) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation now pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened in writing against or with respect to any Target Business Entity relating to Taxes. There are no facts or circumstances that would give rise to such claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(v) Taxing Jurisdictions. No claim has been made by any Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction against any Target Business Entity where any Target Business Entity does not file Tax Returns that the Target Business Entity is or may be required to file any Tax Return, or pay Tax, in such jurisdiction.

(vi) Tax Exemptions. The Target Business Entities have complied in all material respects with the conditions stipulated in each Tax Grant and the Contemplated Transactions will not adversely affect the eligibility of any Target Business Entity for any Tax Grant in any material respect.

(vii) Tax Rulings. All material Tax rulings, advice, consents and clearances from any Governmental Authority (the “Rulings”) affecting any Target Business Entity have been accurately and fully disclosed to the Buyer. All particulars given to any Governmental Authority in connection with any Ruling fully and accurately disclose, in all material respects, all facts and circumstances relevant for such Governmental Authority’s decision. Each Ruling is valid and effective and has been complied with in all material respects, and no action has been taken to prejudice the application of any Ruling in any material respect.

(viii) Anti-avoidance. No Target Business Entity has entered into or been party to any Tax shelter or similar transaction which is considered abusive of any applicable Tax Law.

(ix) Restructuring. Except as explicitly provided in the Restructuring Plan, the Restructuring will not give rise to a material Tax Liability, nor materially and adversely impact the Tax attributes of, any Target Business Entity.

(x) No U.S. Tax Elections. No Target Business Entity has ever filed any election for U.S. Tax purposes (including any entity classification election).

 

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(xi) Tax Sharing Agreements. None of the Target Business Entities are required to pay the Tax of any other Person under any Tax Sharing Agreement or similar agreement or under any Laws applicable to consolidated or affiliated Tax groups.

(xii) Passive Foreign Investment Company. None of the Target Business Entities is or is expect to be a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(s) Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(s) of the Disclosure Schedule:

(i) Section 4.1(s)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of all registrations or applications for registrations included in the Owned Intellectual Property and all other Owned Intellectual Property.

(ii) The Licensed Intellectual Property and the Owned Intellectual Property together constitute all the Intellectual Property reasonably necessary to, or used or held for use in the Target Business without interruption. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(s)(ii) of the Disclosure Schedule, there exist no material restrictions on the disclosure, use, license or transfer of the Owned Intellectual Property, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will not alter, impair, extinguish or incur any Encumbrance on any Owned Intellectual Property or Licensed Intellectual Property.

(iii) Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(s)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property of any third party. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(s)(iii) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no Action pending against or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened against or affecting, any of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) or any present or former officer, director or employee of any Target Business Entity (1) based upon, or challenging or seeking to deny or restrict, the rights of such Target Business Entity in any of the Owned Intellectual Property and the Licensed Intellectual Property, (2) alleging the use of the Owned Intellectual Property or the Licensed Intellectual Property or any services provided, processes used or products manufactured, used, imported, offered for sale or sold by such Target Business Entity do or may conflict with, misappropriate, infringe upon or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property of any third party or (3) alleging that any of such Target Business Entity have infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property of any third party.

 

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(iv) The Target Business Entities are the sole owners of all Owned Intellectual Property and hold all right, title and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property (including without limitation upon being transferred to the applicable Target Group Company in accordance with the Restructuring Plan, all Intellectual Property included in the Contributed Assets) free and clear of any Encumbrances (other than Encumbrances created by Law or explicitly provided in the Restructuring Plan), and as of the Closing Date, will be the licensees of, and have valid rights to use the Licensed Intellectual Property. None of the Owned Intellectual Property or Licensed Intellectual Property has been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or part, and all such Owned Intellectual Property and Licensed Intellectual Property are valid and enforceable.

(v) The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and the Seller Parties have taken all actions reasonably necessary to maintain and protect the Owned Intellectual Property and their rights in Licensed Intellectual Property, including payment of applicable maintenance fees and filing of applicable statement of use.

(vi) Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(s)(vi) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Seller Parties’ knowledge, no Person has infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Owned Intellectual Property or Licensed Intellectual Property. The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) have taken reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of all Intellectual Property of the Target Business Entities, the value of which to any of the Target Business Entities or the Target Business is contingent upon maintaining the confidentiality thereof. None of the Intellectual Property of the Seller Parties and Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) the value of which to any of the Target Business Entities or the Target Business is contingent upon maintaining the confidentiality thereof has been disclosed other than to employees, representatives and agents of the Target Business Entities and the Seller Parties to the extent necessary, all of whom are bound by written confidentiality agreements substantially in the form previously disclosed to the Buyer.

(vii) To the extent that any Intellectual Property that is material to the Target Business has been developed or created by a third party (including any current or former employee of any of the Target Business Entities and the Seller Parties) for the Target Business or the Target Group Companies, the Target Business Entities have a written agreement with such third party with respect thereto, and the Target Business Entities thereby either (1) have obtained ownership of and are the exclusive owners of, or (2) have obtained a valid and unrestricted right to exploit, sufficient for the conduct of their business and Target Business, such Intellectual Property. Neither this Agreement nor the Contemplated Transactions will result in any further amounts being payable to any employee, former employee or current or former contractors or consultants of the Target Business Entities in relation to any Owned Intellectual Property.

 

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(viii) The Information Technology is fully functional and operates and performs in a manner that permits the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) to conduct their respective businesses and the Target Business without interruption. The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and the Seller Parties have taken all necessary actions to protect the confidentiality, integrity, operation and security of the Information Technology (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) against any unauthorized, use, access, interruption, malfunction, modification, or corruption, including the implementation and periodic testing of (1) data backup, (2) disaster avoidance and recovery procedures, (3) business continuity procedures, and (4) encryption and other security protocol technology. There has been no unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification, corruption or malfunction of any Information Technology (or any information or transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby), and the Information Technology is free of all viruses, worms, trojan horses and other malicious Software code.

(ix) (1) The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) have at all times complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to privacy, data protection and the collection and use of personal information and user information gathered or accessed in the course of the operation of the Target Business Entities and the Target Business, (2) the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and the Seller Parties have at all times complied in all material aspects with all rules, policies and procedures established by the Target Business Entities and the Seller Parties from time to time with respect to the foregoing, and (3) no claims have been asserted or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened against any of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and no such claims are likely to be asserted or threatened against any of the Seller Parties in connection with the Target Business and Target Business Entities by any Person alleging a violation of such Person’s privacy, personal or confidentiality rights under any such Laws, regulations, rules, policies or procedures. The consummation of the Contemplated Transactions will not breach or otherwise cause any violation of any such Laws, regulations, rules, policies or procedures in any material respect. The transfer of any personal information in connection with the Contemplated Transactions (including without limitation the transfer of personal information during Restructuring) will not violate any applicable Laws relating to privacy, data protection and the collection and use of personal information in any material respect. The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) are not, and will not, subject to any contractual requirements or other legal obligations that, following the Closing, would prohibit the Target Business Entities from receiving, using or otherwise disposing of personal information transferred during the Restructuring in the manner in which the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) or Seller Parties receive, use and otherwise dispose of such personal information prior to the Closing.

 

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(x) Section 4.1(s)(x) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Social Media Accounts that the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) use, operate or maintain, including in connection with marketing or promoting any product or service. Section 4.1(s)(x) of the Disclosure Schedule also lists, for each such Social Media Account, any account name(s), user name(s), nickname(s), display name(s), handle(s), and other identifiers registered or used by or for the Target Business Entities with respect to such Social Media Account (collectively, the “Social Media Account Names”). All use of the Social Media Accounts complies with and has complied with, in all material respects, (1) all terms and conditions, terms of use, terms of service and other Contracts applicable to such Social Media Accounts and (2) applicable Law. Each employee and former employee, contractor and consultant of the Target Business Entities has entered into a Contract that (1) provides that such Target Business Entity, and not such employee, contractor or consultant, owns and controls the Social Media Accounts and Social Media Account Names (including all associated information and content and all relationships, interactions and communications with fans, followers, visitors, commenters, users and customers) and (2) requires each such employee, contractor or consultant to relinquish to Seller all Social Media Account Names, passwords, and other log-in information for the Social Media Accounts upon termination of employment or engagement or at any other time upon such Target Business Entity’s request.

(t) Insurance. The Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) have maintained no insurance coverage for the Target Business, and such lack of insurance does not have a material adverse effect on the condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business or prospects of the Target Business, the Contributed Assets and the Target Group Companies, taken as a whole.

 

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(u) Labor and Employment Matters.

(i) During the preceding year, no Key Employee (which term shall have the meaning given to “关键员工” in Appendices D-1 and D-2 to the Restructuring Plan) has given written notice to any of the Seller Parties or Target Business Entity that he or she intends to resign or retire at any time in the six (6)-month period following the date of such notice.

(ii) Except for employment agreements with certain Transferred Employees that will be entered into prior to the Closing in accordance with the Restructuring Plan, each Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has entered into employment agreements with all of its employees (including the Transferred Employees) in compliance with applicable Laws in all material respects, and the compensation paid by such Target Business Entity to such employees under the relevant employment agreements constitutes all the income and benefits such employees may validly claim from such Target Business Entity, and there are no other agreements or arrangements in connection with such employee’s compensation.

(iii) There are no material controversies pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened between any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and its employees, contractors, subcontractors, agents or other Persons engaged by it, or between any Seller Party and its employees, contractors, subcontractors, agents or other Persons whose services are primarily for the benefit of the Target Business (collectively, the “Target Company Personnel”). There are no material unfair labor practice complaints pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened against any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business), or any Seller Party with respect to Target Company Personnel before any Governmental Authority. There is no strike, slowdown, work stoppage or lockout, or similar activity or the threat thereof, by or with respect to any Target Company Personnel nor has there been any such occurrence during the preceding three (3) years.

 

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(iv) Each Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) is in compliance with all applicable Laws relating to employment and employment practices in all material aspects, including those related to wages, work hours, shifts, overtimes, social insurance and housing fund registrations, social security benefits, holidays and leave, collective bargaining terms and conditions of employment and the payment and withholding of Taxes and other sums as required by the appropriate Governmental Authority and has withheld and paid in full to the appropriate Governmental Authority, or is holding for payment not yet due to such Governmental Authority, all amounts required to be withheld from or paid with respect to Target Company Personnel (including the withholding and payment of all individual income Taxes and contributions to social security benefits payable), and is not liable for any arrears of wages, Taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing. Each Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) has paid in full to all of its Target Company Personnel or adequately accrued for in accordance with the US GAAP consistently applied all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due to or on behalf of such Target Company Personnel, and there is no claim with respect to payment of any material amount of wages, salary, commission or overtime pay that has been asserted or is pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened before any Governmental Authority with respect to any Persons currently or formerly employed or engaged by any Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business). There is no charge of discrimination in employment or employment practices, for any reason, including without limitation age, gender, race, religion or other legally protected category, which has been asserted or is now pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened before any Governmental Authority with respect to any Target Company Personnel.

(v) Each Target Company Employee Plan and each Target Company Employee Agreement is and has at all times been operated and administered in compliance with the provisions thereof and all applicable Laws in all material aspects. Each contribution or other payment that is required to have been accrued or made under or with respect to any Target Company Employee Plan has been duly accrued and made on a timely basis in all material respects. There are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened against any Target Company Employee Plan or against the assets of any Target Company Employee Plan.

(v) Environmental Matters. The operations of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) and the Target Business do not involve the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances in any material respect. During the preceding three (3) years, no Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) nor any Seller Party has been penalized or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened to be penalized by Governmental Authorities for violation of any applicable environmental Law or Order related thereto.

 

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(w) Insolvency. No bankruptcy, insolvency or judicial composition proceedings concerning the Seller Parties or the Target Business Entities have been applied for. No circumstances exist which could require an application for any bankruptcy, insolvency or judicial composition proceedings concerning the Seller Parties or the Target Business Entities nor do any circumstances exist according to any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency Laws which could justify the avoidance of this Agreement. No steps have been taken or proposed in relation to the winding-up, bankruptcy, administration, insolvency or dissolution of any Seller Party or Target Business Entity, nor has any analogous procedure or step been taken or proposed in any jurisdiction in relation to any Seller Party or Target Business Entity. Neither any Seller Party nor any Target Business Entity is or expected to be insolvent under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or unable to pay its debts as they fall due and neither any Seller Party nor any Target Business Entity has stopped paying its debts or indicated an intention to do so.

(x) Seller Parent SEC Documents. Since January 1, 2019, the Seller Parent has timely filed or furnished, as applicable, all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. As of their respective filing or furnishing dates pursuant to the Exchange Act (and to the extent such Seller Parent SEC Documents were amended, as of the date of filing of such amendment) and as of the date of effectiveness in the case of Seller Parent SEC Documents filed pursuant to the Securities Act, the Seller Parent SEC Documents (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, as applicable, and (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding or unresolved comment letters received from the SEC or its staff with respect to any Seller Parent SEC Documents. There are no internal investigations, any SEC inquiries or investigations or other inquiries or investigations conducted by a Governmental Authority pending or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parent, threatened, in each case, regarding the Seller Parent or any of its Affiliates, officers or directors.

(y) Finders Fees. There is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of any Seller Party or Target Business Entity who might be entitled to any fee or commission in connection with the Contemplated Transactions from any Buyer Party or its Affiliates or any Target Group Company.

Section 4.2 Representations and Warranties of the Buyer Parties. Each of the Buyer Parties hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants to each of the Seller Parties the following as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

(a) Authority. Each of the Buyer Parties has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. The execution and delivery by each of the Buyer Parties of each Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party and the performance by it of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

 

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(b) Valid Agreement. Each Transaction Document to which any of the Buyer Parties is or will be a party has been or will be duly executed and delivered by such party and constitutes, or when executed and delivered in accordance herewith will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

(c) Non-Contravention; Litigation. Neither the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which any of the Buyer Parties is or will be a party nor the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of such Buyer Party or violate any Law or Order to which such Buyer Party is subject or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an Encumbrance under or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel any Contract to which such Buyer Party is a party, by which such Buyer Party is bound or to which any of the Buyer’s assets are subject, except, in the case of sub-clause (ii) above, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of any of the Buyer Parties to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of the Buyer Parties, threatened against any Buyer Party that (i) seeks to invalidate this Agreement or the right of any Buyer Party to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, or (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of any of the Buyer Parties to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.

(d) Consents and Approvals. None of the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which any Buyer Party is a party, the consummation by any Buyer Party of any of the Contemplated Transactions nor the performance by any Buyer Party of each Transaction Document to which such Buyer Party is a party in accordance with its terms requires any Authorization on the part of any Buyer Party or its Affiliates, except (i) the Authorizations referred to in Section 3.1(a), (ii) for compliance with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or (iii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of any of the Seller Parties and Target Group Companies to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.

(e) Status and Investment Intent. Each of the Buyer Parties is acquiring Sale Shares pursuant to this Agreement for its own account for investment purposes only and not with the view nor intention to resell, distribute or otherwise dispose thereof, other than to certain of its Affiliates. Each of the Buyer Parties does not have any direct or indirect arrangement or understanding with any other Person to distribute or Sale Shares in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable state securities Law. Each of the Buyer Parties acknowledges that Sale Shares are “restricted securities” that have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state securities Law.

(f) Sufficient Fund. The Buyer Parties will at the relevant times as required hereunder, have at its disposal sufficient funds to make the payments and deposits as required hereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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Section 4.3 Representations and Warranties of Mr. Li. Mr. Li hereby represents and warrants to each Buyer Party the following as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

(a) Authority. Mr. Li has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which he is or will be a party and to perform his obligations thereunder.

(b) Valid Agreement. Each Transaction Document to which Mr. Li is or will be a party has been or will be duly executed and delivered by such party and constitutes, or when executed and delivered in accordance herewith will constitute, his legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against him in accordance with its terms, except as limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other Laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) Laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

(c) Non-Contravention; Litigation. Neither the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which Mr. Li is or will be a party nor the consummation of any of the Contemplated Transactions will conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an Encumbrance under or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel any Contract to which Mr. Li is a party, by which Mr. Li is bound or to which any of the assets of Mr. Li are subject, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of Mr. Li to perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder. There is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Mr. Li, threatened in writing against Mr. Li that (i) seeks to invalidate this Agreement or the right of Mr. Li to enter into each Transaction Document to which he is or will be a party or to perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder, or (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of Mr. Li to perform his obligations hereunder and thereunder.

(d) Consents and Approvals. None of the execution and delivery of any Transaction Document to which Mr. Li is or will be a party, the performance of his obligations hereunder and thereunder nor the performance by Mr. Li under each Transaction Document to which he is or will be a party in accordance with its terms requires any Authorization on the part of Mr. Li, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect the ability of Mr. Li to perform his obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO THE PERIOD PRIOR TO CLOSING

Section 5.1 Access and Confidentiality. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the Closing Date, and (ii) the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1:

(a) Each Seller Party shall cause all the Target Group Companies to, upon reasonable prior written notice, (i) give the Buyer Parties, their respective officers, employees and authorized Representatives, reasonable access to each Target Group Company’s books, records, officers, employees, agents, offices and other assets, Contracts, facilities and properties, (ii) furnish to the Buyer Parties, their counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized Representatives such financial and operating data and other information relating to the Target Group Companies, the Target Business or the Contributed Assets as such Persons may reasonably request and (iii) instruct the employees, consultants, agents, counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized Representatives of the Target Group Companies to reasonably cooperate with Buyer Parties in their due diligence investigation of the Target Group Companies and the Target Business, including without limitation the status of the Restructuring. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Seller Parties and the Target Group Companies shall not be required to provide access to, or to disclose information, to the extent such access or disclosure would jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of the Seller Parties, the Target Group Companies or their respective Subsidiaries, or contravene any applicable Law (including with respect to any competitively sensitive information, if any).

 

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(b) The Seller Parties shall cause the Target Group Companies to give prompt written notice to the Buyer, (i) of any notice or other communication received by the Target Group Companies or any Seller Party from any Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions, or from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person (or another Person) is or may be required in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, (ii) of any Action commenced or, to the knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened against, any Target Group Company, any Seller Party or their respective Subsidiaries, in each case arising from or relating to the Contemplated Transactions, or (iii) upon becoming aware of the occurrence or impending occurrence that individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) If, after the date hereof, any Party becomes aware of any facts, events or circumstances that have, individually or in the aggregate, resulted in any condition set forth in ARTICLE III to become incapable of being satisfied prior to the Long Stop Date (after giving effect to any applicable cure period), such Party shall promptly give the other Parties a written notice, setting forth therein (i) the relevant facts, events or circumstances, (ii) the condition(s) which such Party believes has or have, as a result, become incapable of being satisfied prior to the Long Stop Date. Upon such notice, the Parties shall discuss in good faith whether the relevant conditions have indeed become incapable of being satisfied prior to the Long Stop Date and, if so, whether such condition will be waived. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.1(c) shall be deemed to obligate any Party to waive any condition set forth in ARTICLE III, which waiver may be granted or withheld at the relevant Party’s sole discretion.

Section 5.2 Conduct of Target Business. During the period between the date hereof and the earlier of (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1 and (ii) the Closing Date, except as expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement or the Restructuring Plan or specifically requested or permitted in writing by or on behalf of the Buyer Parties, the Seller Parties shall cause the Target Business to be conducted, and cause each Target Business Entity to conduct its business and operations with respect to the Target Business and the Contributed Assets, in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and (i) use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the assets and properties relating to the Target Business (including to timely renew any Permits in accordance with applicable Laws) and to preserve the current relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, consultants, Governmental Authorities, and any other Persons having business dealings relating to the Target Business, (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to perform and comply with its Material Contracts and to comply with all applicable Laws then in effect (including, from and after the date of effectiveness of applicable Laws that become effective prior to the Closing), and (iii) maintain its books and records in the usual, regular and ordinary manner. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless expressly required by this Agreement or the Restructuring Plan or specifically requested or permitted in writing by or on behalf of the Buyer Parties, the Seller Parties shall procure that none of the Target Business Entities (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) will:

 

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(a) amend the memorandum and articles of association or equivalent organizational documents of any Target Group Company;

(b) (A) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of capital stock of any Target Group Company, (B) declare, set aside or pay any dividend on or make any other distributions (whether in cash, stock, property or otherwise) with respect to the Equity Securities of any Target Group Company, or (C) make any other change to the capital structure of any Target Group Company;

(c) issue, sell, pledge, dispose, encumber, grant or incur any Encumbrance on any Target Group Company’s Equity Securities, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any Target Group Company’s Equity Securities (except for any such transaction solely between Wholly-Owned Target Group Companies);

(d) acquire or agree to acquire (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets, or otherwise), directly or indirectly, any assets, property, securities, interests or businesses at a total cost in excess of RMB1,000,000 in any single transaction or RMB5,000,000 in the aggregate;

(e) sell, pledge, lease, assign, license or otherwise transfer, dispose of or encumber or create or incur any Encumbrance on any property or assets of any Target Business Entity, except with respect to transactions involving property or assets that are not Contributed Assets and with a value of less than RMB1,000,000 for any single transaction or RMB5,000,000 in the aggregate, and except for any such transaction solely between Wholly-Owned Target Group Companies;

(f) incur, create, assume, refinance or replace any Indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or amend or modify the terms of any debt securities or assume, guarantee or endorse, or otherwise become responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the Indebtedness of any other Person (other than a Wholly-Owned Target Group Companies), except for the refinancing of any existing Indebtedness of the Target Group Companies to the extent that (x) the material terms and conditions of any newly incurred Indebtedness are reasonable market terms, and (y) the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased as a result of such refinancing;

(g) make any material loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, Affiliates, agents or consultants), or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of another entity, in each case other than any such transaction solely between Wholly-Owned Target Group Companies;

 

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(h) enter into, renew, materially modify or amend, terminate, or waive, release, compromise or assign any rights or claims under, any Material Contract (or any Contract that, if existing as of the date of this Agreement, would be a Material Contract), other than any termination, amendment or renewal in accordance with the terms of any existing Material Contract that occur (i) automatically without any action by the Target Group Companies, or (ii) at the election of a counter-party to such Material Contract entitled to terminate, amend or renew such Material Contract without any Target Group Companies’ consent;

(i) (A) initiate any legal action, suit or arbitration proceeding, or (B) settle or compromise any legal action, suit or arbitration proceeding that is made or pending against any Target Business Entity, in each case relating to the Target Business or the Contributed Assets;

(j) (A) establish, adopt, enter into, amend or terminate any Target Company Employee Plan, or any plan, program, policy, or arrangement that would be a Target Company Employee Plan if in effect on the date of this Agreement, (B) materially increase the compensation, severance or other benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former director, officer, employee or independent contractor of any Target Group Company, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) pay any bonus or severance pay to any current or former director, officer, employee or independent contractor of the Target Group Companies other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (D) grant any stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units or equity-based compensatory awards in any Target Group Company, (E) accelerate the payment, right to payment or vesting of any compensation or benefits, or (F) take any action to fund or in any other way secure the payment of compensation or benefits under any Target Company Employee Plan or any plan, program, policy, practice or arrangement that would be a Target Company Employee Plan if in effect on the date of this Agreement;

(k) make any change to its methods of accounting, except as required by a change in the US GAAP (or any interpretation thereof) or in applicable Law, or make any change in accounting policies, unless required by the US GAAP or a competent Governmental Authority;

(l) make or change any material Tax election, amend any Tax Return (except as required by applicable Law), enter into any closing agreement with respect to Taxes, relinquish any right to claim a Tax refund, settle or finally resolve any controversy with respect to Taxes or change any method of Tax accounting;

(m) adopt a plan of merger, complete or partial liquidation or resolutions providing for or authorizing such merger, liquidation or a dissolution, consolidation, recapitalization or bankruptcy reorganization of any Target Group Company;

(n) make or incur any capital expenditures (or any obligations or liabilities in respect thereof) or other investments except for ordinary course capital expenditures not to exceed RMB1,000,000 in any single transaction, or RMB5,000,000 in the aggregate;

 

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(o) transfer or license from any Person any rights to any Intellectual Property, or transfer or license to any Person any rights to any Owned Intellectual Property, in each case not in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(p) abandon, fail to maintain or allow to lapse, including by failure to pay the required fees in any jurisdiction, or disclaim, dedicate to the public, sell, assign or grant any security interest in, to or under any Owned Intellectual Property or develop, create or invent any material Intellectual Property jointly with any third party;

(q) take any action that is intended or would reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in ARTICLE III not being satisfied; or

(r) agree, resolve or authorize or commit to do any of the foregoing.

Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.2, the Seller Parties hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that, if the Closing occurs no later than February 9, 2021, except as expressly required or expressly permitted by this Agreement or the Restructuring Plan or specifically requested or permitted in writing by or on behalf of the Buyer Parties, the Seller Parties shall (i) procure the Target Business to continue to be operated in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and each the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.2 shall remain in full force and effect and binding on the Seller Parties during the period between the Determination Time on January 31, 2021 and the Determination Time on the Closing Date, and (ii) during the period between the Determination Time on January 31, 2021 and the Determination Time on the Closing Date, ensure that no Target Cash and Cash Equivalents is transferred to any Seller Party or its Affiliates (other than the Target Group Companies) and no action is taken that is without business justification and primarily for the purpose of reducing the amount of (x) the Target Cash and Cash Equivalents, plus (y) the Target Net Working Capital, minus (z) the Target Indebtedness, as of the Determination Time on the Closing Date as compared to such amount as of the Determination Time on January 31, 2021.

Section 5.3 Restructuring.

(a) Prior to the Closing, Each of the Seller Parties shall and shall cause each Target Business Entity to, (i) comply in all respects with the Restructuring Plan, (ii) duly perform all of its respective obligations under the Restructuring Plan to meet all applicable deadlines and consummate each step of the Restructuring that is required to be completed prior to the Closing in accordance with the Restructuring Plan and applicable Laws, and (iii) prepare, negotiate and finalize the applicable Restructuring Documents as soon as possible after the date hereof.

(b) Prior to the Closing, each of the Seller Parties shall and shall cause each Target Business Entity to, on a periodic basis (but no less frequently than once a week), provide the Buyer Parties with (i) an update on the completion status of the Restructuring including the specific status of any step thereto as set forth in the Restructuring Plan and background information and circumstances as the Buyer Parties may reasonably request, and (ii) documents evidencing the completion status of the Restructuring and the steps thereof.

 

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(c) After the Closing, the Seller Parties shall cause their relevant Affiliates to, and the Buyer Parties shall cause the Target Group Companies to, (i) comply in all respects with and duly perform their respective obligations under the Restructuring Plan in accordance with the terms thereof, and (ii) meet all applicable deadlines and timely consummate each step of the Restructuring that is required therein to be completed after the Closing.

(d) If the Closing has not occurred as of January 28, 2021, the Seller Parties shall, as soon as practicable thereafter but in any event prior to the expiration date of the AVSP License, cause to be duly submitted to the applicable Governmental Authorities an application to renew the AVSP License for three (3) years and shall thereafter (and prior to the Closing Date) use reasonable efforts to seek the approval of such renewal application, provided that if such approval has not been granted prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties shall, following the Closing, reasonably cooperate with the Buyer Parties in relation to seeking such approval.

(e) The Seller Parties shall make the Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure to the Buyer Parties as soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, it being agreed that such Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure shall be in the form of one disclosure letter, delivered to the Buyer Parties no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, setting forth any and all assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts of or at the disposal of any Seller Party or its Affiliates or the Target Business Entity necessary for the conduct of the Target Business as currently conducted to the extent such assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, employees and Contracts were not already disclosed in the Initial Necessary Assets Disclosure. Upon receiving the Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure, the Buyer may, in its sole discretion, determine to have any assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data or Contracts, or the employment relationship of any employees, in each case set forth in the Supplemental Necessary Assets Disclosure, transferred to the Target Company or its designated Subsidiaries, and have such transfer reflected in the Restructuring Plan or the Transition Services Agreement in the sole discretion of the Buyer, and in which case those assets, businesses, rights, Permits, Intellectual Property, Information Technology, data, Contracts and employees shall be treated for all purposes as “Contributed Assets,” “Transferred Contracts” and “Transferred Employees,” as applicable, and so transferred to the Target Company or its designated Subsidiaries, and shall be reflected in the Restructuring Plan or the Transition Services Agreement as such in the sole discretion of the Buyer. No additional consideration shall be payable by any Buyer Party with respect to any of the foregoing.

(f) No later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties shall provide to the Buyer Parties a complete list of contracts with Key Hosts Category II, Key Hosts Category III, Key Talent Agencies Category II and Key Talent Agencies Category III as of the Closing Date.

 

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Section 5.4 No Shop. Each of the Seller Parties and Mr. Li shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions with any Person other than the Buyer Parties concerning any such inquiries or proposals that constitute or could reasonably be likely to lead to an Acquisition Proposal. Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, none of the Seller Parties shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, managers, employees, Representatives, and other agents not to), directly or indirectly: (a) solicit, initiate or encourage, or knowingly induce or take any other action which could reasonably be expected to lead to the making, submission or announcement of, any proposal or inquiry that constitutes, or could reasonably be likely to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (b) other than informing Persons of the provisions contained in this Section 5.4, enter into, continue or participate in any discussions or any negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or otherwise take any action to knowingly facilitate or knowingly induce any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal; (c) approve, endorse, recommend or enter into any Acquisition Proposal or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or Contract contemplating an Acquisition Proposal or requiring any Seller Party or the Target Company to abandon or terminate its obligations under this Agreement; or (d) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing. The Seller Parties agree to notify the Buyer immediately if any Person makes any proposal, offer, inquiry or contact with respect to an Acquisition Proposal and provide Buyer with the identity of such Person and a description of the material terms and conditions thereof.

Section 5.5 Further Assurances. From the date hereof until the Closing Date, the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. Without limiting the foregoing, prior to and at the Closing Date, each Party shall cooperate with the other Parties to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument (including any consents), and to take all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, in order to give effect to the provisions of the Transaction Documents and the Contemplated Transactions.

Section 5.6 Publicity. The Buyer Parties, the Seller Parties and the Target Company shall coordinate all publicity relating to the Contemplated Transactions. No Party shall issue any press release, publicity statement or other public notice relating to this Agreement, or the Contemplated Transactions, without the prior consent of the other Parties; provided that to the extent that a Party is required by applicable Law or applicable stock exchange rules to issue a press release, publicity statement or other public notice, such Party may issue such press release, publicity statement or other public notice without the consent of the other Parties, and such Party shall be obligated only to consult with the other Parties and consider in good faith their comments on such press release, publicity statement or other public notice prior to issuing the same.

Section 5.7 Certain Authorizations. The Parties shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain the Authorizations referred to in the second sentence of Section 3.1(a) as soon as practicable, and shall reasonably cooperate with each other in connection therewith.

Section 5.8 Promulgation of Certain Rules. In the event that 《直播行业打赏行为管理规则》(暂定名)(including any attachments thereto, and any amendment thereof),《主播账号分级分类管理规范》(暂定名)(including any attachments thereto, and any amendment thereof), or any other Law governing the similar subject matter as the aforementioned two Laws, is promulgated by中国演出行业协会网络表演(直播)分会or similar Governmental Authorities and takes effect prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause each applicable Target Business Entity (with respect to Target Business Entities that are not Target Group Companies, solely in relation to their ownership and operation of the Contributed Assets and the Target Business) to comply with the foregoing rules to the extent consistent with the prevailing industry practice as to compliance with the foregoing rules.

 

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Section 5.9 Additional Escrow Accounts. As soon as practicable after the date hereof and in any event no later than, in the case of Section 5.9(a) and Section 5.9(b), ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing, or, in the case of Section 5.9(c), ten (10) Business Days after the date hereof,

(a) the Seller shall select a reputable international banking institution reasonably acceptable to the Buyer (the “Tax Escrow Agent”), and the Seller and the Buyer shall (or shall procure their respective applicable Affiliates to) enter into an escrow agreement on customary form with the Tax Escrow Agent (the “Tax Escrow Agreement”) and cause a USD escrow account in the name of the Seller or its designee to be opened and operated in accordance with the Tax Escrow Agreement (the “Tax Escrow Account”);

(b) the Seller shall select a reputable domestic banking institution reasonably acceptable to the Buyer (the “RMB Escrow Agent”), and the Seller and the Buyer shall procure their respective applicable Affiliates to enter into an escrow agreement on customary form with the RMB Escrow Agent (the “RMB Escrow Agreement”) and cause an RMB escrow account in the name of the Buyer or its designee to be opened and operated in accordance with the RMB Escrow Agreement (the “RMB Escrow Account”); and

(c) the Seller shall select a reputable domestic banking institution reasonably acceptable to the Buyer (the “TSA Escrow Agent”), and the Seller and the Buyer shall procure their respective applicable Affiliates to enter into an escrow agreement on customary form with the TSA Escrow Agent (the “TSA Escrow Agreement”) and cause an RMB escrow account in the name of the Seller or its designee to be opened and operated in accordance with the TSA Escrow Agreement (the “TSA Escrow Account”); no later than five (5) Business Days after the TSA Escrow Account has been opened, the Seller shall deposit or cause to be deposited the TSA Escrow Amount into the TSA Escrow Account.

ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Tax Filings.

(a) The Parties hereby acknowledge, covenant and agree that (i) the Buyer Parties shall have no obligation to pay any Tax of any nature that is required by applicable Laws to be paid by any Seller Party or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective direct and indirect partners, members and shareholders arising out of the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares, and (ii) the Seller Parties agree to jointly and severally bear and pay any Tax of any nature that is required by applicable Laws to be paid by any Seller Party or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective direct and indirect partners, members and shareholders arising out of the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares.

 

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(b) The Seller Parties shall engage and authorize a big-four accounting firm (or another external consultant or advisor reasonably acceptable to the Buyer) (the “Reporting Agent”) to, and shall cause the Reporting Agent to, within the legally required time limit after the Closing, duly make with the applicable PRC Tax Authority (the “Relevant PRC Tax Authority”) the relevant Tax reporting pursuant to and in accordance with the requirements of Circular 7 in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and shall (i) permit the Buyer Parties to make a joint reporting with the Seller Parties in respect of the Contemplated Transactions if the Buyer Parties so elect and shall procure that the Reporting Agent promptly shares copies of any relevant draft reporting documents with the Buyer (or its advisor) to allow the Buyer a reasonable opportunity to comment, (ii) allow a representative of the Buyer or its advisor to attend any meetings or discussions between any Seller Party and any of their advisors on the one hand and any Relevant PRC Tax Authority on the other hand in relation to the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) promptly provide the Buyer with adequate evidence that such Tax reporting has been made in accordance with applicable Laws (it being agreed that, for all purposes of this Agreement, either of the following shall be deemed reasonable evidence: (x) an acknowledgement or receipt in respect of the reporting by or on behalf of Seller Parties issued by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority or the original signature of an official of the Relevant PRC Tax Authority on the duplicate of the reporting documents submitted by or on behalf of Seller Parties; or (y) an original written confirmation issued by the Reporting Agent, attaching a copy of the reporting made and confirming the Reporting Agent has submitted the reporting on behalf of the Seller Parties with the Relevant PRC Tax Authority in accordance with this Section 6.1(b), and confirming that the Relevant PRC Tax Authority does not issue, and has not issued, any acknowledgement or receipt in respect of the reporting). The Seller Parties shall promptly submit, or cause the Reporting Agent to submit, all documents supplementally requested by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority (having incorporated any reasonable comments from the Buyer) within the timeframe requested by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority in connection with such Tax reporting with a copy delivered to the Buyer. The Seller Parties shall ensure that all information or materials submitted to the Relevant PRC Tax Authority in connection with any Tax reporting by or on behalf of the Seller Parties are true, accurate, complete and not misleading.

(c) The Seller Parties shall cause the Reporting Agent to follow up, on a monthly basis, with the Relevant PRC Tax Authority on the Tax reporting of the Seller Parties and shall respond to any requests by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority for additional information or materials (having incorporated any reasonable comments from the Buyer) and to give monthly updates to the Buyer as to any development in the assessment of any Taxes by the Relevant PRC Tax Authority.

(d) Upon the receipt by the Buyer Parties from the Seller Parties of reasonable evidence that Tax reporting pursuant to Circular 7 in connection with the sale and purchase of the Sale Shares has been made pursuant to Section 6.1(b), the Seller Parties and the Buyer Parties shall deliver a joint written instruction to the Tax Escrow Agent as soon as practicable (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) to release to the Seller (or its designee) the Tax Escrow Amount and any and all interests that may have accrued thereon in full.

(e) Promptly after the Seller Parties obtain any Acceptable Tax Evidence, the Seller Parties shall provide the Buyer Parties with a copy of the Acceptable Tax Evidence, and copies of all documents submitted to and filings made with the Relevant PRC Tax Authority.

 

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Section 6.2 Certain Assets Relating to the Target Business. If at any time after the Closing Date and prior to the date that is twenty-four (24) months after the Closing Date, any Seller Party shall determine or become aware that (i) any assets or Contracts of any of the Seller Parties or its Affiliates that, prior to the Closing, were primarily used in or primarily related to the Target Business, have not been contributed or otherwise transferred to the Target Company or its Subsidiaries (collectively, “In-Scope Assets”), or (ii) any employees of the Seller Parties or its Affiliates that, prior to the Closing, were primarily engaged in the Target Business, have not had his or her employment relationship transferred to the Target Company or its Subsidiaries (collectively, “In-Scope Employees”), then in each case the applicable Seller Parties shall promptly (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) disclose the existence and nature of such In-Scope Assets or In-Scope Employees to the Buyer Parties, and provide all information reasonably requested by the Buyer Parties with respect thereto. After receiving such disclosure, the Buyer may, in its sole discretion, determine to have such In-Scope Assets or the employment relationship of such In-Scope Employees transferred to the Target Company or its designated Subsidiaries, in which case the applicable Seller Parties shall promptly cause the transfer of such In-Scope Assets or use its reasonable efforts to cause the transfer of the employment relationship of such In-Scope Employees, in each case to the Target Company or its designated Subsidiaries. With respect to any In-Scope Assets incapable of being so transferred, the applicable Seller Parties or its Affiliates shall unconditionally grant the Target Company or its designated Subsidiaries a right to use such In-Scope Assets for a period of at least five (5) years. No additional consideration shall be payable by any Buyer Party with respect to any of the foregoing.

Section 6.3 General Release.

(a) Effective on the Closing, each of the Seller Parties and Mr. Li, on its/his own behalf and on behalf of its/his successors, assigns and Affiliates and any other Person that may claim by, through or under such Seller Party (collectively, the “Seller Releasing Parties”), hereby (i) irrevocably waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges each Target Group Company and each of their respective present and former officers, directors, managers, employees and other agents or Representatives, and the Target Business and the Contributed Assets, from any and all Liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever since the beginning of time and (ii) agrees to procure that no Seller Releasing Party will bring or voluntarily participate in or assist any Action that relates to any matter released pursuant to this Section 6.3(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Seller Releasing Parties do not waive or release any rights based upon, arising out of or relating to rights in favor of the Seller Releasing Parties created pursuant to the terms of any Transaction Document. The Seller Releasing Parties understand and agree that the releases provided in this Section 6.3(a) extend to all claims released above whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. It is the intention of the Seller Releasing Parties through this Agreement and with the advice of counsel to fully, finally and forever settle and release the claims set forth above. In furtherance of such intention, the releases herein given shall be and remain in effect as full and complete releases of such matters notwithstanding the discovery of any additional claims or facts relating thereto.

 

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(b) Effective on the Closing, each Buyer Party, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Target Group Companies, and its and their respective successors, assigns and Affiliates and any other Person that may claim by, through or under such Buyer Party or any Target Group Company (collectively, the “Buyer Releasing Parties”), hereby (i) irrevocably waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges the Seller Parties and their Affiliates, and each of their respective present and former officers, directors, managers, employees and other agents or Representatives, from any and all Liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever since the beginning of time to the extent such Liabilities arise out of the Target Business or the Contributed Assets, and (ii) agrees to procure that no Buyer Releasing Party will, bring or voluntarily participate in or assist any Action that relates to any matter released pursuant to this Section 6.3(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Buyer Releasing Parties do not waive or release any rights based upon, arising out of or relating to rights in favor of the Buyer Releasing Parties created pursuant to the terms of any Transaction Document. The Buyer Releasing Parties understand and agree that the releases provided in this Section 6.3(b) extend to all claims released above whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. It is the intention of the Buyer Releasing Parties through this Agreement and with the advice of counsel to fully, finally and forever settle and release the claims set forth above. In furtherance of such intention, the releases herein given shall be and remain in effect as full and complete releases of such matters notwithstanding the discovery of any additional claims or facts relating thereto.

Section 6.4 Non-Disparagement. Each of the Seller Parties and Mr. Li covenants and agrees that it/he and its/his Affiliates will not directly or indirectly make or cause to be made any public statement or other communication that is public in nature or is prone to public dissemination, written or otherwise, that would constitute disparagement or criticism of, or that is otherwise derogatory or materially detrimental to, the Target Business or any Target Group Company. Nothing in this Section 6.4 shall limit any Seller Party’s or its Affiliate’s ability to make factually correct statements or communications that such Seller Party or its Affiliates reasonably believe are required to be made pursuant to applicable Law.

Section 6.5 Target Business Confidential Information. For a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, each of the Seller Parties and Mr. Li shall not, and shall cause its/his Affiliates not to, use or disclose or convey to any third party, any confidential information regarding the Target Business, the Contributed Assets, the business conducted by any Target Group Company, or in relation to any Target Group Company or its respective clients, customers, vendors, licensors, suppliers, and any other proprietary information of any Target Group Company that as of the Closing Date is not available to the general public (collectively, “Target Business Confidential Information”); provided that any Seller Party may furnish such portion (and only such portion) of the Target Business Confidential Information as such Seller Party reasonably determines it is legally obligated to disclose if (a) it receives a request to disclose all or any part of the Target Business Confidential Information under the terms of a subpoena, civil investigative demand or order issued by a Governmental Authority, (b) it notifies the Buyer of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding that request and consults with the Buyer on the advisability of taking steps available under applicable Law to resist or narrow that request, (c) it exercises its reasonable best efforts to obtain an Order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to the disclosed Target Business Confidential Information, and (d) disclosure of such Target Business Confidential Information is required to prevent such Seller Party from being in violation of applicable Law.

Section 6.6 Target Business Audit. The Buyer Parties shall be entitled to engage an accounting firm to conduct a financial audit of the Target Business for the three (3) fiscal years prior to the Closing Date, and the Seller Parties shall provide assistance in connection therewith as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer Parties from time to time prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the Closing.

 

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Section 6.7 Transition Services Agreement. The Parties shall, and shall cause their applicable Affiliates to, comply with the provisions set forth in Part A of Exhibit F. If the Transition Services Agreement has not been executed and delivered at the Closing by the parties thereto, then, unless the Buyer and the Seller shall agree in writing otherwise, the Second Tranche Consideration shall be reduced by an amount equal to US$30,000,000, and such reduction shall be deemed to have taken place immediately prior to the Closing. Any adjustment to the Second Tranche Consideration made pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Consideration for all Tax purposes unless otherwise required by any applicable Law.

Section 6.8 ODI Approval. The Seller Parties shall provide all information and materials reasonably requested by any Buyer Party with respect to the pursuit of ODI Approvals by the Buyer Parties or their Affiliates.

Section 6.9 Incorporation of Non-Compete Undertaking by Reference. Upon the execution and delivery of the Non-Compete Undertaking on the Closing Date, Section 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the Non-Compete Undertaking (together, the “Non-Compete Undertaking Provisions”) shall automatically be incorporated by reference into this Agreement and form a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

Section 6.10 Ticker. Promptly after Mr. Li ceases to Control the Seller Parent, the Seller Parent shall change its ticker symbol to another ticker symbol that does not include “YY”.

Section 6.11 Post-Closing Cooperation.

(a) From the Closing Date through the third (3rd) anniversary thereof, (i) the Seller Parties and the Buyer Parties shall, and shall procure their respective Affiliates to, at their respective own expense, use reasonable best efforts to provide all assistance and cooperation as may be reasonably requested by the Buyer Parties or the Seller Parties, as applicable, in connection with any Action by or before, or any inquiry from, any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction, including the SEC (but other than any such Action or inquiry initiated or solicited by or on behalf of the requesting parties or their Affiliates), relating to the Target Business as operated on or prior to the Closing Date (such Action or inquiry, a “Relevant Action or Inquiry”), and (ii) upon any Party becoming aware of any Relevant Action or Inquiry being commenced or threatened against such Party, such Party shall promptly give the other Parties written notice of such Relevant Action or Inquiry.

(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.11(a), from and after the Closing, the Buyer Parties shall, (i) upon reasonable prior notice, give the Seller Parties, their respective officers, employees and authorized Representatives, reasonable access to each Target Group Company’s books and records, and (ii) furnish to the Seller Parties, their counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized Representatives such financial and operating data and other information relating to the Target Group Companies, the Target Business or the Contributed Assets (including without limitation any data or information furnished by the Seller Parties and their Representatives to the Buyer Parties or their Representatives prior to the Closing Date), in each case of (i) and (ii), that are in the possession of the Buyer Parties and their Affiliates and relating to any period of time prior to the Closing Date but only as such Persons may reasonably request in connection with their defense against, or response to, any Relevant Action or Inquiry.

 

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(c) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.11(a), from and after the Closing, the Seller Parties shall, (i) upon reasonable prior notice, give the Buyer Parties, their respective officers, employees and authorized Representatives, reasonable access to its books and records, and (ii) furnish to the Buyer Parties, their counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized Representatives such financial and operating data and other information relating to its business or assets, in each case of (i) and (ii), that are in the possession of the Seller Parties and their Affiliates and relating to the Target Group Companies, the Target Business or the Contributed Assets (including, for the avoidance of doubt, those relating to Bigo, Inc. and its subsidiaries to the extent such items relate to their transactions with the Target Business) for any period of time prior to the Closing Date but only as such Persons may reasonably request in connection with their defense against, or response to, any Relevant Action or Inquiry.

(d) Without prejudice to the Buyer Parties’ rights and the Seller Parties’ obligations under Section 6.6, from and after the Closing, the Buyer Parties shall be entitled to conduct further review of the Target Group Companies, the Target Business and the Contributed Assets, and the Seller Parties shall provide reasonable assistance to the Buyer Parties as may be requested by the Buyer Parties, from time to time prior to the third (3rd) anniversary of the Closing, to the extent such review relates to any period of time prior to the Closing Date. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any of the Buyer Parent, the Buyer Parties and their Affiliates proposes to engage Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Limited or any other forensic accountant, legal counsel or other advisor that is or was engaged by any Seller Party or its Affiliates to conduct investigation over the Target Business and a conflict of interest waiver is sought from such Seller Party or its Affiliates by such forensic accountant, legal counsel or other advisor, the Seller Parties shall cause the waiver to be promptly granted.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no Party shall be required to provide access to, or to disclose information, to the extent such access or disclosure would jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of such Party or its Affiliates, or contravene any applicable Law (including with respect to any competitively sensitive information, if any).

Section 6.12 Adjustments to the Fourth Tranche Consideration. Subject to the Closing having taken place:

(a) For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) “Agreed OP Exchange Rate”, with respect to any given fiscal year, means a USD:RMB exchange rate derived from the arithmetic mean of the USD:RMB central parity rates on the interbank foreign exchange market published by the People’s Bank of China on its website for the last ten (10) weekdays of such fiscal year.

(ii) “OP Benchmark” means RMB3,700,000,000.

 

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(iii) “OP 2021 Deviation” means the OP Deviation with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

(iv) “OP 2022 Deviation” means the OP Deviation with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

(v) “OP Deviation”, with respect to any given fiscal year, means (x) if the Operating Profits with respect to such fiscal year are lower than the OP Benchmark, an RMB amount equal to (i) the OP Benchmark minus (ii) the Operating Profits with respect to such fiscal year, or (y) if the Operating Profits with respect to such fiscal year are equal to or higher than the OP Benchmark, zero (0).

(vi) “Operating Profits”, with respect to any given fiscal year, means an RMB amount equal to (x) the consolidated operating profits, plus (y) share-based compensation expenses, minus (z) government subsidies, in each case, of the Target Business on a consolidated basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(b) As soon as practicable after each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022 (in any event no later than the date falling two (2) months after the date on which the Buyer Parent first files its annual report on Form 20-F in respect of such fiscal year with the SEC (the “Profit Adjustment Statement Deadline” for such fiscal year)), the Buyer shall deliver to the Seller a statement (the “Profit Adjustment Statement” for such fiscal year) setting forth therein the Buyer’s good faith calculation of the OP Deviation with respect to such fiscal year, together with reasonable supporting evidence relating thereto. The Seller shall have a period of fifteen (15) Business Days after the date on which the Profit Adjustment Statement is delivered by the Buyer to deliver to the Buyer a written notice of the Seller’s disagreement with the Buyer’s calculation of the OP Deviation for such fiscal year. During such fifteen (15) Business Day period, the Buyer shall (i) permit the Seller and their accountants to consult with the Target Group Companies’ senior management and Buyer’s accountants, and (ii) permit the Seller to review additional supporting materials as the Buyer may choose to provide. If the Seller has timely delivered the foregoing notice, the Buyer and the Seller shall seek in good faith to resolve in writing any differences they have with respect to the matters specified therein within five (5) Business Days following the delivery of such notice. If the Seller and the Buyer are unable to resolve the disputed items set forth in such notice within five (5) Business Days following the Seller’s delivery of such notice (or such longer period as the Seller and the Buyer may mutually agree in writing), such dispute shall be submitted to, and all issues related to such dispute shall be resolved by, a “big four” accounting firm selected by mutual agreement between the Seller and the Buyer (provided that if the Seller and the Buyer are unable to agree on such selection within two (2) Business Days after the expiration of the foregoing five (5) Business Day period, the Buyer shall be entitled to propose two big-four accounting firms to the Seller, and the Seller shall, within two (2) Business Days of such proposal, select one of the two accounting firms so proposed or, if the Seller shall not have timely made such selection, the Buyer shall select the accounting firm) (the accounting firm selected pursuant to the foregoing, the “OP Accounting Firm”). The OP Accounting Firm shall be jointly engaged by the Seller and the Buyer (or their respective designated Affiliated entities). The Seller and the Buyer shall submit to the OP Accounting Firm, as expert and not as arbitrator, for review and resolution all matters (but only such matters) that are set forth in such notice which remain in dispute, and the Buyer Parties shall (i) permit the OP Accounting Firm to consult with the Target Group Companies’ senior management and Buyer’s accountants, and (ii) provide to the OP Accounting Firm reasonable access during normal business hours to the books and records relevant to the Profit Adjustment Statement. The Seller and the Buyer shall instruct the OP Accounting Firm to (i) not assign to the Operating Profits with respect to such fiscal year a value that is (A) greater than the greater value assigned by the Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller, on the other hand, or (B) less than the smaller value assigned by the Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller, on the other hand, (ii) make its determination in accordance with the guidelines and procedures set forth in this Agreement and consistent with the US GAAP and render a final resolution in writing to the Buyer and the Seller (which final resolution shall be requested by the Buyer and the Seller to be delivered not more than ten (10) Business Days following submission of such disputed matters to the OP Accounting Firm), which, absent manifest error, shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Parties with respect to the OP Deviation for the relevant fiscal year, and (iii) provide a written report to the Buyer and the Seller, if requested by either of them, which sets forth in reasonable detail the basis for the OP Accounting Firm’s final determination. The fees and expenses of the OP Accounting Firm shall be borne by the Seller and the Buyer (or their respective designated Affiliated entities) on a 50/50 basis.

 

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(c) The OP Deviation (as adjusted by the agreement of the Parties or at the direction of the OP Accounting Firm, as applicable) with respect to any fiscal year shall be deemed final for the purposes of this Agreement and binding upon the Parties upon the earlier of the (i) failure of the Seller to notify the Buyer of a dispute within fifteen (15) Business Days after delivery of the applicable Profit Adjustment Statement, and (ii) resolution of all disputes pursuant to Section 6.12(b), by the OP Accounting Firm or by the Parties; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Profit Adjustment Statement for any fiscal year has not been delivered to the Seller as of the applicable Profit Adjustment Statement Deadline, the OP Deviation in respect of such fiscal year shall be equal to zero (0), which shall be deemed final for the purposes of this Agreement and binding upon the Parties.

(d) Upon the OP 2021 Deviation having become final and binding upon the Parties in accordance with Section 6.12(c), the Fourth Tranche Consideration shall be recalculated as: US$300,000,000, minus the USD equivalent (calculated at the Agreed OP Exchange Rate with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021) of the OP 2021 Deviation (the Fourth Tranche Consideration so recalculated, the “Post 2021 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration”); provided that if the Post 2021 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration is a negative amount, the Post 2021 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration shall be equal to zero (0).

(e) Upon the OP 2022 Deviation having become final and binding upon the Parties in accordance with Section 6.12(c), the Fourth Tranche Consideration shall be further recalculated as: the Post 2021 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration, minus the USD equivalent (calculated at the Agreed OP Exchange Rate with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022) of the OP 2022 Deviation (the Fourth Tranche Consideration so further recalculated, the “Post 2022 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration”); provided that if the Post 2022 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration is a negative amount, the Post 2022 Adjustment Fourth Tranche Consideration shall be equal to zero (0).

 

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(f) From and after the Closing through December 31, 2022, the Buyer Parties shall cause the Target Business to be conducted in good faith, and may not cause any operating profits that otherwise would have constituted Operating Profits to be transferred to or booked in another entity Controlled by the Buyer Parent without business justification and primarily for the purpose of inflating the OP 2021 Deviation or the OP 2022 Deviation.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

Section 7.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing:

(a) by the written consent of the Buyer and the Seller;

(b) by either the Buyer or the Seller by written notice to the other Parties if the Closing shall not have been consummated on or prior to the Long Stop Date; provided, however, that the Buyer or the Seller, as applicable, shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(b) if the failure of the Closing to be consummated on or prior to the Long Stop Date results primarily from a breach by that Party or any of its Affiliates of any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(c) by either the Buyer or the Seller by written notice to the other Parties if any Governmental Authority shall have issued any Order or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining, preventing, prohibiting or otherwise making illegal the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions and such Order or other action has become final and non-appealable; provided that the Buyer or the Seller, as applicable, shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(c) if the imposition of such Order or the taking of other action results primarily from a breach by that Party or any of its Affiliates of any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant set forth in this Agreement;

(d) by the Buyer by giving written notice to the Seller, if, between the date hereof and the Closing Date, (i) any Seller Party is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, (ii) that breach, if by its nature capable of being cured, is not cured within ten (10) Business Days of written notice of such breach from the Buyer, and (iii) that breach, if not cured, would render any of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 incapable of being satisfied by the Long Stop Date; provided that the Buyer shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(d) if any Buyer Party is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement and that breach would result in any of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.2 not being satisfied; or

(e) by the Seller by giving written notice to the Buyer, if, between the date hereof and the Closing Date, (i) any Buyer Party is in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement, (ii) that breach, if by its nature capable of being cured, is not cured within ten (10) Business Days of written notice of such breach from the Seller, and (iii) that breach, if not cured, would render any of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.3 incapable of being satisfied by the Long Stop Date; provided that the Seller shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(e) if any Seller Party is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement and that breach would result in any of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 and Section 3.3 not being satisfied.

 

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Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 7.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any Liability or obligation on the part of any Party under this Agreement; provided that (a) this Section 7.2, ARTICLE IX and all provisions of this Agreement necessary for the interpretation thereof shall survive such termination, and (b) nothing in this Section 7.2 shall release any Party from any Liability for fraud or any breach by such Party of this Agreement prior to the effective date of such termination, or otherwise affect any of the rights or remedies (whether under this Agreement, or at law, in equity or otherwise) available to any Party with respect to any breach of this Agreement by any other Party prior to the effective date of such termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, within one (1) Business Day after the earlier to occur of (x) the Long Stop Date (without the Closing having occurred) and (y) the termination of this Agreement, (i) the Seller Parties shall or shall procure its applicable Affiliates to deliver a joint written instruction to the Existing Escrow Agent to release to the Buyer (or its designee) the Existing Escrow Amount together with all interest that may have accrued thereon and (ii) the Buyer Parties shall procure their applicable Affiliate to deliver a joint written instruction to the TSA Escrow Agent to release to the Seller (or its designee) the TSA Escrow Amount together with all interest that may have accrued thereon.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Survival of the Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made by the Seller Parties to the Buyer Parties set forth in Section 4.1 shall survive for a period of eighteen (18) months following the Closing Date; provided that the Company Fundamental Representations shall survive indefinitely or until the latest date permitted by Law; provided, further, that all representations and warranties contained in Section 4.1(r) relating to Taxes shall survive until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the Closing Date. All representations and warranties made by Mr. Li to the Buyer Parties set forth in Section 4.3 shall survive indefinitely or until the latest date permitted by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Indemnified Party asserts any claim in writing pursuant to Section 8.2 resulting from or arising out of an alleged breach of any such representation or warranty on or prior to the applicable expiration date of such representation or warranty, such representation or warranty shall survive, solely with respect to such asserted claim, until such claim has been finally resolved. The covenants and agreements of each Party set forth in this Agreement, including the Non-Compete Undertaking Provisions, shall survive the Closing until they are terminated, whether by the performance thereof, their respective express terms or as a matter of applicable Law.

Section 8.2 Indemnification.

(a) From and after the Closing, the Seller Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Parties and their Affiliates, and their Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and permitted assigns from and against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, fines, Taxes, expenses and Liabilities, including without limitation any lost profits, lost revenue, investigative and legal expenses incurred in connection with and any amounts paid in settlement of, any pending or threatened Action (but in any event excluding exemplary or punitive damages, except to the extent such damages are awarded to or recovered by a third party in connection with a Third Party Claim) (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or resulting from (i) the breach of any representation or warranty of any Seller Party set forth in this Agreement, (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement of any Seller Party set forth in this Agreement (excluding the Non-Compete Undertaking Provisions), (iii) any Specified Indemnity Matter, and (iv) the breach by any Seller Party of any Non-Compete Undertaking Provision.

 

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(b) From and after the Closing, Mr. Li shall indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Parties and their Affiliates, and their Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and permitted assigns from and against any Losses arising out of or resulting from (A) the breach of any representation or warranty of Mr. Li set forth in this Agreement, or (B) the breach by Mr. Li of any Non-Compete Undertaking Provision.

(c) From and after the Closing, the Buyer Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Seller Parties and their Affiliates, and their Affiliates’ respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and permitted assigns from and against any Losses arising out of or resulting from (i) the breach of any representation or warranty of any Buyer Party set forth in this Agreement, or (ii) the breach of any covenant of any Buyer Party set forth in this Agreement.

(d) For purposes of this Agreement, (i) “Indemnifying Party” means the Seller Parties (with respect to Section 8.2(a)), Mr. Li (with respect to Section 8.2(b)) and the Buyer Parties (with respect to Section 8.2(c)), and (ii) “Indemnified Party” means the Persons entitled to seek indemnification against the applicable Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 8.2(a), Section 8.2(b) or Section 8.2(c), as applicable.

(e) Solely for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of any Losses relating to indemnification remedies (and not for determining whether any breach has occurred) provided in this Article VIII, the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by any Indemnifying Party in any Transaction Document shall be considered and applied with no regard to any qualification therein as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar materiality qualifiers.

Section 8.3 Third Party Claims.

(a) If any third party shall notify any Indemnified Party in writing with respect to any matter involving a claim by such third party (a “Third Party Claim”) which such Indemnified Party believes would give rise to a claim for indemnification against an Indemnifying Party under this Article VIII, then the Indemnified Party shall promptly following receipt of notice of such claim transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (a “Claim Notice”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any) and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay in providing such Claim Notice shall constitute a waiver or otherwise modify the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially and adversely prejudiced by such failure or delay. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party in writing within thirty (30) days from receipt of such Claim Notice that the Indemnifying Party disputes such claim for indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed with such claim for indemnification under this Agreement.

 

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(b) Upon the receipt of a Claim Notice with respect to a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim by notifying the Indemnified Party in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of such Claim Notice that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, and upon delivery of such notice by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to fully control and settle the relevant proceeding; provided that any such settlement shall require the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim if (i) the Third Party Claim arises out of or results from any criminal action, (ii) the Third Party Claim seeks an injunction or equitable relief against any Indemnified Party, or (iii) the Indemnifying Party has not acknowledged that such Third Party Claim is subject to indemnification pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII.

(c) If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, cooperate reasonably with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including in connection with the making of any related counterclaim against the third party asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint against any Person. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to receive copies of all pleadings, notices and communications with respect to such Third Party Claim, other than any privileged communications between the Indemnifying Party and its counsel, and shall be entitled, at its sole cost and expense, to retain separate co-counsel and participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim assumed by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 8.3(b).

(d) In the event that the Indemnifying Party fails to elect to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim within thirty (30) days of receipt of the relevant Claim Notice or otherwise fails to continue the defense of the Indemnified Party in good faith, the Indemnified Party may, at its option, defend, settle, compromise or pay such action or claim at the expense of the Indemnifying Party.

Section 8.4 Tax Indemnity. In addition to (but without duplication of) the indemnification set forth in Section 8.2, the Seller Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless the Buyer Parties and their Affiliates for any Tax incurred or assessed pursuant to any applicable Law (including without limitation pursuant to Circular 7) arising out of or relating to (i) the Restructuring or (ii) the sale and transfer of the Sale Shares as contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 8.5 Direct Claims. If any Indemnified Party has a claim against any Indemnifying Party hereunder that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall promptly transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (the “Indemnity Notice”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to such claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement; provided that no failure or delay in providing such Indemnity Notice shall constitute a waiver or otherwise modify the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification hereunder, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been materially and adversely prejudiced by such failure or delay. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Indemnity Notice that the Indemnifying Party disputes such claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed with such claim.

 

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Section 8.6 Limitation on Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement:

(a) No Indemnified Party may assert a claim or commence an Action against any Indemnifying Party for breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein, unless written notice of such claim or Action describing in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances with respect to the subject matter of such claim or Action is received by such Indemnifying Party on or prior to the date on which the representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on which such claim or Action is based ceases to survive in accordance with Section 8.1, provided that with respect to any Specified Indemnity Matter for which a “claims outside date” is specified in Exhibit I, no claim may be asserted, and no action may be commenced, against any Indemnifying Party unless written notice of such claim or Action describing in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances with respect to the subject matter of such claim or Action is received by such Indemnifying Party on or prior to the date so specified in Exhibit I.

(b) Other than a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) for Losses arising out of or resulting from any breach of any of the Company Fundamental Representations or pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iii) regarding the matters specified in Clause (viii), Clause (ix), or Clause (x) of Exhibit I or pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iv) or pursuant to Section 6.7, the second paragraph of Part A of Exhibit F or Section 6.9, for which no limitation on liability pursuant to this Section 8.6(b) shall apply, the Seller Parties shall not be liable for any Losses with respect to any claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2(a), unless and until the total amount of all Losses suffered or incurred by the relevant Indemnified Parties hereunder exceeds an amount equal to US$3,000,000, whereupon the Seller Parties shall be liable only for all Losses in excess of US$1,000,000.

(c) The aggregate liability of the Seller Parties for claims under this ARTICLE VIII (other than claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(i) arising out of or resulting from any breach of any of the Company Fundamental Representations or pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iv) or pursuant to Section 6.9, or claims pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iii) regarding the matters specified in Clause (x) of Exhibit I) shall in no event exceed US$360,000,000 (or, if the Second Tranche Consideration has been reduced in accordance with Section 6.7, US$360,000,000 minus the amount of such reduction). The aggregate liability of the Seller Parties for claims under this ARTICLE VIII, including claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2(a) arising out of or resulting from any breach of any of the Company Fundamental Representations and claims pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iii) regarding the matters specified in Clause (x) of Exhibit I but excluding claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 6.9 or Section 8.2(a)(iv), shall in no event exceed the aggregate amount of Consideration actually received by the Seller Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, the limitation on liability pursuant to this Section 8.6(c) shall in no circumstances apply to claims for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iv).

 

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(d) Each of the Buyer Parties shall, and shall cause the Target Group Companies to, use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate Losses the applicable Indemnified Party may suffer as a result of any other Party’s breach of this Agreement, after it becomes aware of any such breach.

(e) Any Indemnifiable Loss shall be determined without duplication of recovery by reason of the state of facts giving rise to such Indemnifiable Loss constituting a breach of more than one representation, warranty, covenant or agreement herein. No Indemnified Party shall be entitled to recover for any Indemnifiable Loss based on the same set of facts more than once.

(f) In no event shall any Party be liable to any Indemnified Party for any Loss (i) to the extent such Indemnified Party recovers an amount in respect of such Loss from any third party (including under any insurance policy) and only to the extent of such amount actually recovered (less any related costs and expenses, including the aggregate cost of pursuing any related claims), (ii) that is a contingent liability, unless and until such liability is actually due and payable (provided that this sub-section (ii) shall not restrict an Indemnified Party from bringing a claim when such continent liability is pending), or (iii) to the extent arising out of or resulting from any act, omission, transaction or arrangement carried out at the written request or with the written approval of any Buyer Party or as expressly required by any of the Transaction Documents.

(g) The limitations on indemnification set forth in this Section 8.6 shall not apply to any claim for fraud, willful misconduct or intentional breach of the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliates.

(h) If any monetary claim for indemnification has been asserted pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iv) in accordance with the dispute resolution set forth in Section 9.1, no Buyer Party may, and each Buyer Party shall procure its Affiliates to not, assert any monetary claim (and shall promptly terminate or cause to be terminated any monetary claim that may have been asserted) in the PRC under the Non-Compete Undertaking that is based on substantially the same facts or circumstances giving rise to the claim asserted pursuant to Section 8.2(a)(iv); provided that this Section 8.6(h) shall not prevent or restrict the right of any Indemnified Party to obtain any remedy (including without limitation injunctive relief, specific performance and claims for expenses of attorneys in relation thereto) other than the monetary claims as set forth above under this Section 8.6(h)) pursuant to the Non-Compete Undertaking.

Section 8.7 Investigation. The right to indemnification will not be affected by any investigation conducted with respect to, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether prior to or after the date hereof or the Closing Date, with respect to any matter, including the accuracy of or compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by a Party hereto. The waiver of any condition relating to the accuracy of any such representation or warranty or the performance of or compliance with any such covenant or agreement will not affect the right to indemnification hereunder based on any such representation, warranty, covenant or agreement.

 

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Section 8.8 Tax Gross-Up. If an Indemnifying Party is required to deduct or withhold from a payment under Section 8.2 to an Indemnified Party any Tax, the Indemnifying Party shall pay on demand from the Indemnified Party such additional amounts as shall be required so that the net amount received by such Indemnified Party after such deduction or withholding shall equal the amount that would have been received by such Indemnified Party had no such deduction or withholding been made.

Section 8.9 Exclusive Remedy. From and after the Closing, the indemnification provisions set forth in this ARTICLE VIII shall be the sole and exclusive monetary remedy for each Indemnified Party for any claims by such Indemnified Party against the Indemnifying Parties arising from this Agreement; provided that this Section 8.9 shall not prevent or restrict (a) the right of any Indemnified Party to obtain injunctive relief or specific performance from a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction in accordance with Section 9.13, or (b) any claim against an Indemnifying Party for fraud or willful misconduct of the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliates.

Section 8.10 Right to Cure. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any claim made by an Indemnified Party pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII to the extent any breach or circumstances underlying such claim is capable of being remedied or otherwise cured and the Indemnifying Party shall have remedied or otherwise cured the same within ten (10) Business Days after being given notice of the same by such Indemnified Party, unless such Indemnified Party shall have actually suffered any Losses in connection with or attributable to the matters giving rise to such claim.

Section 8.11 Tax Treatment of Indemnification Payments. All indemnification payments made under this ARTICLE VIII shall be treated as adjustment to the Consideration (and the applicable component thereof) for all Tax purposes unless otherwise required by any applicable Law.

Section 8.12 No Set off. All amounts required to be paid under this Agreement shall be paid free and clear of any withholding, deduction or set-off of any kind, except as specifically provided otherwise herein. Without limitation to the foregoing, no Party shall have any right to set off any amount claimed or required to be paid to such Party or any Indemnified Person pursuant to this ARTICLE VIII against any amount required to be paid by such Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 Governing Law; Dispute Resolution. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule thereof. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination, shall be exclusively referred to and finally resolved by arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (the “HKIAC”) in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules in force when the relevant arbitration notice is received by the HKIAC. There shall be three arbitrators. Each side in dispute shall have the right to appoint one arbitrator, and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the HKIAC. The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may be entitled or become entitled (including immunity to pre-award attachment, post-award attachment or otherwise) in any arbitration proceedings and/or enforcement proceedings against it arising out of or based on this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions. The award of the arbitration tribunal shall be final and binding upon the Parties, and the prevailing Party may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for enforcement of such award. Any Party shall be entitled to seek preliminary injunctive relief from any court of competent jurisdiction pending the constitution of the arbitral tribunal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 9.1 is in any event without prejudice to the dispute resolution set forth in the Non-Compete Undertaking.

 

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Section 9.2 Performance Pending Dispute Resolution. Unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms hereof, this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of any proceeding under Section 9.1.

Section 9.3 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by all the Parties. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument signed by the Party waiving such provision. No failure or delay by a Party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of the same preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or in equity, shall be cumulative and not alternative except as expressly provided otherwise herein.

Section 9.4 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each of the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns and legal representatives.

Section 9.5 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any Party without the express written consent of the other Parties, and any attempted assignment in violation of this Section 9.5 shall be void.

Section 9.6 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a) in writing and served by personal delivery upon the Party for whom it is intended, (b) if delivered by facsimile with receipt confirmed, (c) if delivered by email upon such email being sent unless the sending party subsequently learns or should have learned that such email was not successfully delivered, or (d) if delivered by certified mail, registered mail or courier service, return receipt received, to the Party at the address set forth below:

If to any Buyer Party, at:

 

Address:    Baidu Campus, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
Attention:   
Facsimile:   
Email:   

 

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With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Address:   
Attention:   
Facsimile:   
Email:   

If to any Seller Party, at:

 

Address:   
Attention:   
Email:   

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Address:   
Attention:   
Facsimile:   
Email:   

Any Party may change its address for purposes of this Section 9.6 by giving the other Parties written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

Section 9.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including without limitation all the Schedules and Exhibits hereto and all the provisions incorporated by reference into this Agreement) and all the other Transaction Documents (including without limitation the Restructuring Plan and all the Schedules and Exhibits thereto), constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters covered hereby and thereby, and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or in writing, if any, between the Parties with respect to the matters covered hereby and thereby (including without limitation the Original Share Purchase Agreement) are superseded by this Agreement (upon the effectiveness of this Agreement) and the other Transaction Documents. All the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, including without limitation the Restructuring Plan and all the Schedules and Exhibits thereto, shall form a part of this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Transaction Document, this Agreement shall prevail.

Section 9.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is inoperative or unenforceable for any reason, such circumstances shall not have the effect of rendering the provision in question inoperative or unenforceable in any other case or circumstance, or of rendering any other provision or provisions herein contained invalid, inoperative or unenforceable to any extent whatsoever so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. If any provision of this Agreement shall be adjudged to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, such provision shall be deemed modified to the minimum degree necessary to make such provision valid and enforceable under applicable Law so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible, and that such modified provision shall thereafter be enforced to the fullest extent possible.

 

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Section 9.9 Fees and Expenses. Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement or the Restructuring Plan, the Parties will bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Transaction Documents and the Contemplated Transactions, including fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants and financial advisors.

Section 9.10 Confidentiality.

(a) Subject to Section 9.10(b), each Party shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, to the extent not in violation of applicable Law, (i) keep confidential and shall not disclose to any Person the existence and substance of any Transaction Document, the negotiations relating to any Transaction Document and any non-public information with respect to the foregoing (collectively, “Confidential Information”), (ii) if a Party or any of its Representatives is legally compelled or is required by any stock exchange or any other regulatory body to disclose any such information, provide the other Parties with prompt written notice of such requirement so that such other Party may seek a protective order or other remedy or waive compliance with this Section 9.10(a), and (iii) in the event that such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or such other Party waives compliance with this Section 9.10(a), furnish only that portion of such confidential information which is required by law, the stock exchange or other regulatory body to be provided; provided, however, that the Party seeking to disclose shall have provided a draft of the proposed disclosure to the other Parties reasonably in advance and shall have reasonably considered any comments from the other Parties to the content of such proposed disclosure; provided, further, that each Party and its respective Representatives may disclose such information to their respective Affiliates, permitted assignees, financing sources, partners, shareholders, senior management, employees, professional advisors, agents in each case only where such Persons or entities are bound by appropriate non-disclosure obligations and have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of such information.

(b) Confidential Information shall not include any information that is (i) previously known on a non-confidential basis by the receiving Party or any of its Representatives, (ii) in the public domain through no fault of such receiving Party or any of its Representatives, (iii) received from a Person other than any of the other Parties or their respective Representatives, so long as such Person was not, to the best knowledge of the receiving Party, subject to a duty of confidentiality to such other Party or (iv) developed independently by or on behalf of the receiving Party or any of its Representatives without reference to Confidential Information of the disclosing Party.

Section 9.11 Third Party Rights. Except for an Indemnified Party’s right to seek indemnification pursuant to ARTICLE VIII, A Person that is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Chapter 623 of the Laws of Hong Kong) to enforce any term of, or enjoy any benefit under, this Agreement.

 

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Section 9.12 Headings. The headings of the various Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted merely for convenience and do not expressly or by implication limit, define or extend the specific terms of the Article or Section so designated.

Section 9.13 Specific Performance. The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the failure of either Party to perform its agreements and covenants hereunder, including its failure to take all actions as are necessary on its part to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, will cause irreparable injury to the other Party, for which damages alone, even if available, will not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each Party hereby agrees and undertakes that the Parties shall be entitled to seek the remedies of injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief from any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction for any threatened or actual breach of the terms of this Agreement, to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof and to compel performance of such Partys obligations (including the taking of such actions as are required of such Party to consummate the Contemplated Transactions), this being in addition to and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies to which either Party is entitled under this Agreement. The Parties further agree to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with any such remedy, and that, such remedy shall be in addition to any other remedy to which a Party is entitled at law or in equity.

Section 9.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including counterparts transmitted by facsimile or e-mail, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of executed signature pages by facsimile or electronic transmission (via scanned PDF) by all Parties will constitute effective and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement.

Section 9.15 Obligations Joint and Several. Any obligation of any Seller Party hereunder shall be an obligation of all Seller Parties on a joint and several basis as between each other. Any obligation of any Buyer Party hereunder shall be an obligation of all Buyer Parties on a joint and several basis as between each other.

Section 9.16 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall take effect on the Closing Date immediately prior to the Closing.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

BAIDU (HONG KONG) LIMITED
By:  

/s/ YUAN Dandan

Name: YUAN Dandan
Title: Authorized Representative

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

MOON SPV LIMITED
By:  

/s/ CAO Xiaodong

Name: CAO Xiaodong
Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

JOYY INC.
By:  

/s/ Xueling Li

Name: Xueling Li
Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

FUNSTAGE TECHNOLOGY LTD.
By:  

/s/ Li Ting

Name: Li Ting
Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

TOPSTAGE TECHNOLOGY LTD.
By:  

/s/ Li Ting

Name: Li Ting
Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

广州华多网络科技有限公司
By:  

/s/ Li Ting

Name: Li Ting
Title: Legal Representative

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

广州市锐橙网络科技有限公司
By:  

/s/ Li Ting

Name: Li Ting
Title: Legal Representative

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

广州欢聚时代信息科技有限公司
By:  

/s/ Li Ting

Name: Li Ting
Title: Legal Representative

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

RUNDERFO INC.
By:  

/s/ Zhang Ying

Name: Zhang Ying
Title: Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

DAVID XUELING LI

/s/ DAVID XUELING LI

[Signature Page to Amended & Restated Share Purchase Agreement]

Exhibit 4.86

Termination Agreement of Current Control Contracts

This Termination Agreement of Current Control Contracts (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 30, 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC,” for purposes of this Agreement excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) by and among:

Party A: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a wholly foreign owned enterprise duly formed and validly existing under the PRC laws, with its registered address at 3/F, Baidu Plaza, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing;

Party B: Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd., a limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the PRC laws, with its registered address at A2, 2/F, Building 17, Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 Dong Bei Wang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing;

Party C: Zhixiang Liang, a PRC citizen, ID No.    ; and

Lu Wang, a PRC citizen, ID No.    ;

And

Party D: Baidu Inc., a company duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, with its registered address at M&C Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 309 GT, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

In this Agreement, each of the Parties above are collectively referred to as the “Parties,” individually as a “Party,” and mutually as “Other Parties.”

WHEREAS:

 

(1)

Each of the Parties has signed the documents listed in Exhibit 1 attached hereto (collectively the “Current Control Documents”) prior to the date hereof; and

 

(2)

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions herein, each of the Parties agrees to terminate all of the Current Control Documents.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows through negotiations:

 

1.

Termination of Current Control Documents

 

1.1

Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably agrees and acknowledges that all of the Current Control Documents shall terminate and cease to have any effect as of the date hereof.

 

1.2

As of the date hereof, each of the Parties shall have no right under all and/or any of the Current Control Documents, or be required to fulfill any obligation thereunder; provided, however, that (i) any rights exercised and obligations fulfilled by each of the Parties on reliance of the Current Control Documents shall remain valid, no Party is required to return any payment, income or interest of any kind received by it or in its actual possession on reliance of the Current Control Documents, and any amount which has become due and payable among Party A, Party B and Party C shall be paid accordingly; notwithstanding the foregoing, Lu Wang shall return to Party A an amount of RMB1,598,440.00 equal to the entire principal and interest accrued thereupon under the Loan Agreement listed in Exhibit 1 pursuant to the same Loan Agreement; and (ii) Party A, Party B and Party C shall make application with the competent industrial and commercial authority having jurisdiction over Party B within [30] business days as of the date hereof to cancel the registered pledge of the equity interests in Party B made by Lu Wang in favor of Party A under the Current Control Documents.

 

1.3

Unless otherwise provided in Section 1.2 above, each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any dispute, claim, demand, right, obligation, liability, action, contract or cause of action of any kind or nature it had, has or may have against the Other Parties directly or indirectly in connection with or arising from all and/or any of the Current Control Documents.

 

1.4

Without prejudice to the generality of Sections 1.2 and 1.3 above, as of the date hereof, each of the Parties hereby waives any commitment, debt, claim, demand, obligation and liability of any kind or nature that such Party or any of its successors, heirs, assigns or estate executors had, has or may have against the Other Parties and their respective current and past directors, officers, employees, counsels and agents, affiliates of the forgoing persons and the respective successors and assigns of each of the foregoing, in connection with or arising from the Current Control Documents, including claims and cause of action at law or equity, whether initiated or not, absolute or contingent, known or unknown.


2.

Representations and Warranties

 

2.1

Mutual Representations and Warranties. Each of the Parties represents and warrants to the Other Parties that:

(1) it has full legal rights, powers and authorities to execute this Agreement and all contracts and documents referenced herein to which it is a party, and execution of this Agreement represents expression of its genuine intent;

(2) none of its execution and performance of this Agreement will constitute breach of any organizational document to which it is a party or by which it is bound, any agreement executed or permit obtained by it, or result in its breach of or requirement for it to obtain any judgment, ruling, order or consent issued by a court, government authority or regulatory body; and

(3) it has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary for its valid execution of this Agreement, all contracts and documents referenced herein to which it is a party, and for its compliance with and performance of its obligations hereunder and thereunder.

 

3.

Covenants

 

3.1

In order to duly terminate the rights and obligations under the Current Control Documents, each Party shall execute all documents and take all actions that are necessary or advisable, provide active support for the Other Parties in obtaining relevant government approvals and/or registration documents and effecting relevant termination procedures.

 

4.

Termination

 

4.1

Except for the circumstances expressly provided herein, the Parties agree to terminate this Agreement:

(1) by all of the Parties through negotiation, and all expenses and losses incurred therefrom shall be borne respectively by the incurring Party; or

(2) by the non-defaulting Party if the intent of this Agreement is incapable of fulfilment due to a Party’s breach of its obligations hereunder.

 

5.

Breach Liabilities and Indemnification

 

5.1

Any Party shall be deemed in breach of this Agreement if it breaches or fails to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and liabilities set forth herein.

 

5.2

Unless otherwise expressly agreed herein, any Party in breach of this Agreement shall indemnify the non-defaulting Party for any cost, liability or any loss (including without limitation any interest accrued therefrom and legal fees) incurred by the non-defaulting Party. The total amount of indemnity payable by the defaulting Party to the non-defaulting Party shall be the loss arising from such breach.

 

6.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

 

6.1

The formation of this Agreement and its validity, interpretation, performance and resolution of any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.

 

6.2

All disputes arising from the performance of this Agreement or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties through negotiations in good faith.

 

6.3

Any Party may submit any dispute arising from this Agreement to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC) for arbitration in Beijing in accordance with its arbitration rules and procedures then in effect. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three arbitrators appointed in accordance with the arbitration rules, with one arbitrator appointed by the claimant, one arbitrator by the respondent and the third arbitrator by the two appointed arbitrators after consultation or by the CIETAC. The arbitration shall proceed on confidential basis in Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all Parties.

 

2


6.4

During the arbitration, except the matters under dispute and pending arbitration, each Party shall continue to exercise its other rights and fulfill its other obligations hereunder.

 

7.

Confidentiality

 

7.1

The Parties shall be obliged to keep confidential this Agreement and matters relating to this Agreement, and none of the Parties may disclose any matter relating hereto to a third party other than the Parties hereto without the written consent of the Other Parties, except for any disclosure:

(1) to the auditor, legal advisor and any other person engaged by it in the ordinary course of business, provided that such person shall be obliged to keep in confidence any information relating to this Agreement acquired by it during such engagement; and

(2) which could be otherwise accessible by the public, or is expressly required by law, regulation or relevant stock exchange authority.

 

8.

Miscellaneous

 

8.1

This Agreement shall become effective upon signature of all of the Parties.

 

8.2

The Parties may amend or modify this Agreement through negotiations. Any such amendment or modification shall be made in writing and become effective upon signature of all of the Parties.

 

8.3

If any provision hereof be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to have never existed herein and have no effect upon validity of the remainder of this Agreement, and the Parties shall negotiate to provide for a new provision to the extent permissible by law to ensure that the intent of the original provision be realized to the maximum extent.

 

8.4

Unless otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder by a Party shall operate as its waiver of such right, power or privilege, nor shall single or partial exercise of such right, power or privilege preclude the exercise of any other right, power and privilege.

 

8.5

This Agreement is made in five originals with one thereof for each Party, and each of the originals shall be equally binding.

(No text below, Signatures to follow)

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Termination Agreement of Current Control Contracts to be executed by its authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above with immediate effect.

 

Party A:
Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Name:  
Title:   Legal Representative
Party B:
Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Name:  
Title:   Legal Representative
Party C:
Zhixiang Liang
Signature:  

/s/ Zhixiang Liang

Lu Wang
Signature:  

/s/ Lu Wang

Party D:
Baidu, Inc.
Signature:  

/s/ Yanhong Li

Name:  
Title:   Director

 

4


Exhibit 1

List of Current Control Documents

 

No.

  

Document Name

  

Signed by

  

Signed on

1    Operating Agreement    Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.; and Lu Wang    June 28, 2018
2    Loan Agreement    Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Lu Wang    June 28, 2018
3    Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement    Baidu, Inc.; Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; Lu Wang and Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.    June 28, 2018
4    Proxy Agreement    Baidu, Inc. and Lu Wang    June 28, 2018
5    Power of Attorney    Lu Wang    June 28, 2018
6    Equity Pledge Agreement    Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. and Lu Wang    June 28, 2018

 

5

Exhibit 4.87

Business Operating Agreement

This Business Operating Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 30, 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC,” for purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong Macau and Taiwan) by and among:

Party A: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Registered Address: Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Party B: Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

Registered Address: A2 2/F No. 17 Building Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 East Bei Wang Road (W), Haidian District, Beijing

Party C: Zhixiang Liang, a PRC citizen, ID No.

And

Party D: Shanshan Cui, a PRC citizen, ID No.

WHEREAS:

 

1.

Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC, has the technology expertise and practical experience in the development and design of computer software, as well as rich experience and human resources specializing in information technology and services;

 

2.

Party B is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under PRC law, is permitted by Beijing Telecommunications Administration to provide internet information services and other value-added telecommunication services, and is permitted by Beijing Industrial and Commercial Administration to provide internet-based advertising services;

 

3.

Each of Party C and Party D is a shareholder of Party B owning 50% equity interests in Party B;

 

4.

Party A and Party B have established business relationship by entering into an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Agreement and a supplement thereto (the “Services Agreement”), a Web Layout Copyright License Agreement, a Trademark License Agreement, and a Domain Name License Agreement; and

 

5.

Pursuant to the above-mentioned agreements between Party A and Party B, Party B shall make certain payments to Party A, and the business operations of Party B will have a material effect on Party B’s ability to make such payments to Party A.

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows through negotiations:

 

1.

Party A agrees, subject to satisfaction of applicable provisions herein by Party B, to be the guarantor of Party B in the contracts, agreements or transactions entered into between Party B and any third party in connection with Party B’s business operations, to provide full guarantees for performance of such contracts, agreements or transactions by Party B. As counter-guarantee, Party B agrees to pledge the accounts receivable in its operations and all of its assets to Party A. Based on the above guarantee arrangement, Party A, when necessary, is willing to enter into written guarantee contracts with Party B’s counterparties to assume the guarantor’s liabilities. Party B, Party C and Party D shall take all necessary actions (including without limitation executing relevant documents and filing relevant registrations) to carry out the counter-guarantee arrangement with Party A.


2.

In consideration of the requirements of Article 1 hereof and to ensure performance of the various business agreements between Party A and Party B and payment by Party B of the amounts payable to Party A thereunder, Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agree that, without Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not engage in any transaction that may materially affect its assets, liabilities, rights or operations (other than execution of any business contract or agreement, sale or purchase of any asset by Party B in its ordinary course of business and receipt of legal rights by applicable counterparties as a result thereof), including without limitation the following:

2.1 To borrow money from any third party or assume any debt;

2.2 To sell to or acquire from any third party any asset or right, including without limitation any intellectual property rights;

2.3 To create any security upon any of its assets or intellectual property rights in favor of any third party; or

2.4 To assign any of its business contracts to any third party.

 

3.

In order to ensure the performance of all of the business agreements between Party A and Party B and the payment by Party B of the amounts payable to Party A thereunder, Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agree to accept advice and guidance provided by Party A from time to time relating to Party B’s policies on matters such as employment and dismissal of employees, daily operations and management, and financial management.

 

4.

Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agree that Party C and Party D shall appoint the candidate recommended by Party A as directors of Party B, and Party B shall appoint any member recommended by Party A from its senior management to serve as the general manager, financial director and any other senior management position of Party B. If such member of Party A’s senior management terminates its employment with Party A voluntarily or by dismissal of Party A, such member shall be no longer qualified to serve at any position in Party B; under such circumstance, Party B shall appoint any other member recommended by Party A from its senior management to fill the position vacated by such circumstance. Any candidate recommended by Party A to Party B shall meet the qualifications legally required for director, general manager, financial director or any other senior management position.

 

5.

Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agree and acknowledge that Party B shall seek guaranty from Party A in priority if such guaranty is needed for its performing any contract or borrowing any working capital loan in connection with its business operations; under such circumstance, Party A shall be obliged to provide guaranty to Party B as appropriate in its own discretion.

 

6.

In the event that any agreement between Party A and Party B terminates or expires, Party A shall have the right, but not the obligation, to terminate all agreements between Party A and Party B, including without limitation the Services Agreement.

 

7.

Any amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be made in writing. The amendment or supplement duly executed by all parties shall form an integral part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

 

8.

Should any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable because of inconsistency with applicable laws, such provision shall be invalid or unenforceable only to the extent of jurisdiction of such applicable laws without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.

 

9.

None of Party B, Party C or Party D may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of Party A. Party B, Party C and Party D hereby agree that Party A may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement as Party A considers it necessary to do so, in which case Party A only needs to give a written notice to Party B and no further consent of Party B, Part C or Party D is required.

 

10.

Each party acknowledges and confirms that any oral or written information exchanged pursuant to this Agreement are confidential. Each party shall keep confidential all such information and not disclose any such information to any third party without the prior written consent from the other party except for any information which: (a) is or will become known to the public (without any fault of the receiving party); (b) is required to be disclosed by the applicable laws or rules of stock exchange; or (c) is disclosed by each party to its legal or financial advisor relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that such legal or financial advisor shall comply with the confidentiality provisions set forth in this Article 10. Disclosure of any confidential information by the employee of or any entity engaged by any Party shall be deemed as disclosure by such Party, and such disclosing Party shall be liable for breach under this Agreement. This Article 10 shall survive the invalidity, cancellation, termination or unenforceability of this Agreement for any reason.

 

2


11.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the PRC.

 

12.

Any dispute arising in connection with the interpretation and performance of the provisions of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties in good faith through negotiations. If no resolution is reached by the Parties through negotiations, any Party may submit such dispute to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (the “CIETAC”) for arbitration in accordance with CIETAC’s arbitration rules then in effect. The seat of arbitration shall be in Beijing, and the language of the proceedings shall be Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon all of the Parties.

 

13.

This Agreement shall be executed by a duly authorized representative of each Party and become effective as of the date first written above.

 

14.

Once effective, this Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof and supersede all prior oral and written agreements and understandings by the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof.

 

15.

This Agreement shall remain permanently valid unless early terminated as expressly agreed in this Agreement or by Party A in writing. If the duration of operation (including any extension thereof) of Party A or Party B is expired or terminated for any other reason within the aforesaid term of this Agreement, such Party shall timely renew its duration of operation to enable this Agreement to continue to be valid and implementable. If a Party’s application to renew its duration of operation fails to obtain the approval or consent of any competent authority, this Agreement shall be terminated simultaneously with the expiration or termination of the duration of operation of such Party.

 

16.

During the term of this Agreement, unless due to commitment of any gross negligence or fraud by Party A towards Party B, none of Party B, Party C or Party D may early terminate or end this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time by issuing a thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Party B, Party C and Party D.

 

17.

All notices or other correspondences required to be sent by any Party hereunder shall be made in Chinese and delivered to the following addresses of the other Parties or other addresses designated and notified to such Party from time to time via personal delivery, registered mail, post prepaid mail, recognized express delivery service or fax. The notices shall be deemed to have been duly served (a) upon sent if sent by personal delivery, (b) on the tenth (10th) day after the post-prepaid registered airmail is sent (shown on the postmark) if sent by mail, or on the fourth (4th) day after the notice is handed to an internationally recognized express delivery service; and (c) at the time of receipt shown on the transmission acknowledgement if sent via fax.

 

Party A:

 

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Address:

 

3/F, Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

 

Shanshan Cui

Fax:

 

Tel:

Party B:

 

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

 

A2 2/F No. 17 Building Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 East Bei Wang Road (W), Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

 

Shanshan Cui

Fax:

 

Tel:

 

Party C:

 

Address:

 

Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

 

Zhixiang Liang

Fax:

 

Tel:

 

 

3


Party D:

 

Address:

 

Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

 

Shanshan Cui

 

18.

This Agreement is made in four originals, with each party holding one original. All originals shall have the same legal effect.

(No text below)

 

4


(Signature page)

IN WITNESS THEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by its legal or authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Party A:

Baidu Online Network Technology

(Beijing) Co., Ltd. (seal)

Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Title:   Legal Representative
Party B:

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

(seal)

Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Title:   Legal Representative
Party C:
Zhixiang Liang
Signature:  

/s/ Zhixiang Liang

Party D:
Shanshan Cui
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

 

5

Exhibit 4.88

Loan Agreement

This Loan Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 30, 2019 in Beijing, by and between:

 

Party A: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

                Registered Address: 3/F, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

 

Party B: Shanshan Cui
                ID Card No.

WHEREAS:

 

  1.

Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”);

 

  2.

Party B is a Chinese citizen holding 50% equity interests in Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Perusal”); and

 

  3.

Party A agrees to provide to Party B, and Party B agrees to accept, a loan equal to RMB1,598,440,000 for the purposes contemplated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, Party A and Party B agree as follows through negotiations:

 

  1.

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Party A confirms that it has provided to Party B and Party B has agreed to accept, a loan at an aggregate amount of RMB1,598,440,000.

 

  2.

Party B confirms its receipt of the loan and has applied the loan in its entirety to pay the price for its acquiring equity interests in Beijing Perusal.

 

  3.

The term of the loan under this Agreement shall commence on the day of receipt of the loan by Party B until the 10th anniversary of the date on which this Agreement is executed, which term is renewable upon agreement by the Parties in writing; provided, however, that the loan provided hereunder could be accelerated for immediate repayment by Party B pursuant to this Agreement at the request of Party A in writing at any time during the term of the loan or any renewal thereof if:

 

  (1)

Party B resigns from or is dismissed by Party A or any affiliate of Party A;

 

  (2)

Party B is dead, without civil legal capacity or with limited civil legal capacity;

 

  (3)

Party B is found with criminal offense or involvement therein;

 

  (4)

A claim is raised against Party B by any third party for an amount exceeding RMB100,000; or

 

  (5)

Subject to the laws of the PRC, Party A or any of its nominees may make investment in Beijing Perusal for operation of value-added telecommunication services and other services, such as internet information services, and Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees has elected to exercise its option by issuing a written notice to Party B to purchase the equity interests in Beijing Perusal under the Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement referenced in article 4 hereof.

 

  4.

It is agreed and acknowledged that, subject to and to the extent permitted by the laws of the PRC, Baidu, Inc., as the holding company of Party A, shall have the right but no obligation to purchase or nominate any other person (including any natural person, legal entity or other entity) to purchase all or any part of the equity interests in Beijing Perusal held by Party B (the “Call Option”), provided that Baidu, Inc. shall issue a written notice to Party B to exercise the Call Option. Upon Baidu, Inc.’s issuance of such written notice, Party B shall, as requested and instructed by Party A, immediately transfer all of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees at the original investment price (the “Original Investment Price”) or any other price acceptable to Baidu, Inc. required under applicable laws. It is agreed and acknowledged that upon exercising the Call Option by Baidu, Inc., if the lowest price of the equity interests permitted under applicable laws is higher than the Original Investment Price, the price payable by Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees shall be the lowest price permitted under applicable laws. The Parties agree to enter into an Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement with respect to the foregoing in this Article 4.


  5.

It is agreed and acknowledged that Party B shall repay the loan only as follows: upon its maturity and at the request of Party A in writing, the loan provided hereunder shall be repaid by Party B (or any of its heirs, successors or assigns) with the proceeds from transfer of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees to the extent permitted under the PRC laws, or otherwise agreed by the Parties.

 

  6.

It is agreed and acknowledged that in connection with transfer of the equity interests by Party B to Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees upon maturity of the loan, if the proceeds from such transfer are legally required to or otherwise exceed the principal of the loan, Party B agrees to pay such excess amount, net of any individual income tax and other taxes and fees payable by Party B, to Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees at sole decision of Baidu, Inc. to the extent permissible by the law.

 

  7.

It is agreed and acknowledged that Party B shall not be deemed to have fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement until:

 

  (1)

it has transferred all of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to Baidu, Inc. or any of its nominees; and

 

  (2)

it has paid to Party A all of the proceeds from the equity interest transfer pursuant to Articles 5 and 6 of this Agreement.

 

  8.

To secure performance of its obligations under this Agreement, Party B agrees to pledge all of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to Party A (the “Equity Pledge”). It is acknowledged that an Equity Pledge Agreement in respect of the foregoing in this Article 8 has been made as of October 30, 2019.

 

  9.

As of the date hereof, Party A represents and warrants to Party B that:

 

  (1)

Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC;

 

  (2)

Party A has the right to execute and perform this Agreement. The execution and performance of this agreement by Party A comply with its business scope, articles or any other organization document, and Party A has obtained all approvals and authorizations necessary and appropriate for its execution and performance of this Agreement;

 

  (3)

The principal of the loan to Party B is legally owned by Party A;

 

  (4)

Execution and performance of this Agreement by Party A does not violate any law, regulation, approval, authorization, notice or other governmental document by which it is bound or affected, or any agreement between Party A and any third party, or any covenant made by Party A to any third party; and

 

  (5)

This Agreement, once executed, shall constitute legal, valid obligations of Party A and enforceable against Party A in accordance with its terms.

 

  10.

As of the date hereof until the end of this Agreement, Party B represents and warrants to Party A that:

 

  (1)

Beijing Perusal is a limited liability company incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the PRC and Party B is a legal holder of the equity interests in Beijing Perusal;

 

  (2)

Party B has the right to execute and perform this Agreement. The execution and performance by Party B of this Agreement comply with the articles or any other organizational document of Beijing Perusal, and Party B has obtained all approvals and authorizations necessary and appropriate for its execution and performance of this Agreement;

 

  (3)

Execution and performance of this Agreement by Party B does not violate any law, regulation, approval, authorization, notice or other governmental document by which it is bound or affected, or any agreement between Party B and any third party, or any covenant made by Party B to any third party;

 

  (4)

This Agreement, once executed, shall constitute legal, valid obligations of Party B and enforceable against Party B in accordance with its terms;

 

2


  (5)

Party B has made all contributions required by law for its holding equity interests in Beijing Perusal;

 

  (6)

Unless otherwise provided under the Equity Pledge Agreement and the Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement, Party B does not create any mortgage, pledge or other security over its equity interests in Beijing Perusal, or make any offer to any third party to transfer its equity interests, or make any promise as to any offer to purchase its equity interests from any third party, or execute any agreement with any third party to transfer its equity interests;

 

  (7)

There are no pending or potential disputes, litigation, arbitration, administrative proceedings or other legal proceedings in connection with the equity interests in Beijing Perusal held by Party B; and

 

  (8)

Beijing Perusal has completed all necessary governmental approvals, licenses, registrations and filings.

 

  11.

Party B undertakes that during the term of this Agreement, it shall:

 

  (1)

not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of its equity interests or other interests in Beijing Perusal, or to allow creation of any other security interest thereupon without the prior written consent of Party A, except for the equity pledge or other right created for the benefit of Party A;

 

  (2)

not vote for, support or execute any shareholder resolutions at Beijing Perusal’s shareholder’s meetings permitting sale, transfer, pledge or other disposal of any of its legal or beneficiary ownership of the equity interests in Beijing Perusal or creation of any other security interest thereupon without the prior written consent of Party A, except for those made to Party A or any of its nominees;

 

  (3)

not vote for, support or execute any shareholder resolutions at Beijing Perusal’s shareholder meetings permitting Beijing Perusal to merge or combine with, or acquire or invest in, any person without Party A’s prior written consent;

 

  (4)

promptly inform Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding relating to the equity interests of Beijing Perusal;

 

  (5)

execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and bring all necessary or appropriate lawsuits or make all necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims in order to maintain its ownership of equity interests in Beijing Perusal;

 

  (6)

refrain from any act and/or omission that may materially affect the assets, business and liabilities of Beijing Perusal without the prior written consent of Party A;

 

  (7)

appoint any person nominated by Party A as executive director of Beijing Perusal, upon Party A’s request;

 

  (8)

in connection with Party A’s exercise of the Call Option provided hereunder, transfer promptly and unconditionally all equity interests in Beijing Perusal held by Party B to Party A and/or any of its nominees, to the extent and within the scope permissible under the laws of the PRC;

 

  (9)

not request Beijing Perusal to distribute dividends or profits to it;

 

  (10)

upon transfer of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to Party A or any of its nominees, pay the entire proceeds received by it from transfer of the equity interests to Party A as repayment of the loan or otherwise to the extent permitted under the laws of the PRC; and

 

  (11)

strictly comply with the terms of this Agreement, perform the obligations under this Agreement, and refrain from any act or omission that could affect the validity and enforceability of this Agreement.

 

  12.

Party B undertakes that in its capacity of a shareholder of Beijing Perusal and during the term of this Agreement, it shall procure Beijing Perusal:

 

3


  (1)

not to supplement, amend or modify its articles of association, or increase or decrease its registered capital, or to change its capital structure in any form without the prior written consent of Party A;

 

  (2)

to maintain its existence and handle matters prudently and affectively in accordance with good financial and business rules and practices;

 

  (3)

not to sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of, nor to permit the creation of any other security interest on, any of its legal or beneficial interests in its assets, business or income without the prior written consent of Party A, at any time as of the date of this Agreement;

 

  (4)

not to incur, succeed, guarantee or permit the existence of any liabilities without the prior written consent of Party A, except for any liabilities (i) arising from the ordinary or day-to-day course of business instead of through Party B; and (ii) disclosed to Party A or approved by Party A in writing;

 

  (5)

to operate all businesses on a continued basis and maintain the value of its assets;

 

  (6)

not to execute any material contracts (for the purpose of this Section 12(6), a contract will be deemed material if its value exceeds RMB500,000) without the prior written consent of Party A, other than those executed during the ordinary course of business;

 

  (7)

to provide all information regarding its operations and financial affairs at Party A’s request;

 

  (8)

not to merge or combine with, acquire or invest in, any other person without the prior written consent of Party A;

 

  (9)

not to distribute dividends to the shareholders without the prior written consent of Party A, and upon Party A’s request, to promptly distribute all distributable profits to the shareholders.

 

  (10)

to promptly inform Party A of any pending or threatened litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding relating to its assets, business or revenue;

 

  (11)

to execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and bring all necessary or appropriate lawsuits or make all necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims in order to maintain its ownership of its assets; and

 

  (12)

to strictly comply with the terms of the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Agreement dated June 23, 2006 and the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Supplementary Agreement dated April 22, 2010, each by Beijing Perusal and Party A (collectively, the “Service Agreement”) and other agreements, duly perform its obligations thereunder, and refrain from any act or omission that could affect the validity and enforceability thereof.

 

  13.

This Agreement is binding upon, and inures the benefit of, each of the Parties and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. Without prior written consent of Party A, Party B shall not transfer, pledge or otherwise assign any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder.

 

  14.

Party B agrees that Party A may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to a third party by a written notice to Party B when it considers necessary. No further consent from Party B is required for such transfer.

 

  15.

Execution, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment, termination and dispute resolution of this Agreement are governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

  16.

Arbitration

 

  (1)

Both Parties shall strive to resolve any dispute, conflicts, or claims arising from the interpretation or performance (including any issue relating to the existence, validity and termination) of this Agreement through negotiations in good faith. If no resolution is made within thirty (30) days after one Party requests for such resolution, either Party may submit such matter to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (the “CIETAC”) in accordance with its then-effect rules. The arbitration award shall be final and conclusive and binding upon the Parties.

 

  (2)

The place of the arbitration shall be Beijing.

 

4


  (3)

The arbitration language shall be Chinese.

 

  17.

This Agreement shall be made as of the date of its execution, and the Parties agree and confirm that the terms and conditions of this Agreement will become effective from the date when Party B receives the loan and expire on the date when each Party has completed its obligations hereunder.

 

  18.

Party B shall not terminate or revoke this Agreement under any circumstances unless (1) Party A is found with gross negligence, fraud, or other material misconduct; or (2) Party A is in bankruptcy.

 

  19.

This Agreement shall not be amended or modified without the written consent of the Parties hereto. Any matters not agreed upon in this Agreement may be supplemented by all Parties through the execution of a written agreement. The above amendments, modifications, supplements and any attachment of this Agreement shall be integral parts of this Agreement.

 

  20.

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreements of the Parties with respect to the transaction herein and supersedes all prior verbal discussions and written agreements between the Parties.

 

  21.

This Agreement is severable. The invalidity or unenforceability of any term shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.

 

  22.

Each Party shall strictly protect the confidentiality of any information regarding the other Party’s business, operation, financial situation or other confidential information obtained under this Agreement or during the performance of this Agreement.

 

  23.

Any obligation that is accrued or becomes due prior to expiry or early termination of this Agreement shall survive such expiry or early termination. Sections 15, 16, and 22 shall survive expiry or termination of this Agreement.

 

  24.

This Agreement shall be executed in two originals, and each Party shall hold one thereof. Both originals shall have the same legal effect.

(No text below)

 

5


[Signature page only]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by its legal or authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Party A:
Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Party B:  

Shanshan

Cui

Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

 

6

Exhibit 4.89

Proxy Agreement

This Proxy Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 30, 2019 in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC,” for purposes of this Agreement, excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) by and between:

Party A: Baidu, Inc., with registered address at M&C Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands;

And

Party B: Shanshan Cui, with ID No.

WHEREAS:

 

1.

Party B is a citizen of the PRC and shareholder of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing perusal”).    As of the date hereof, Party B holds 50% equity interests in Beijing Perusal (“Party B’s Equity”).

 

2.

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Party B agrees to authorize a PRC company or individual designated by Party A to exercise its rights as a shareholder of Beijing Perusal on its behalf, and Party A agrees to accept such authorization.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1.

Party B hereby agrees to irrevocably authorize any entity or individual designated by Party A to exercise on its behalf all of the voting and other rights as a shareholder empowered by the law and Beijing Perusal’s articles of association at the shareholders’ meeting of Beijing Perusal, including without limitation any right regarding sale, transfer, pledge or disposal of all or part of Party B’s equity interests in Beijing perusal; and designating and electing the executive director of Beijing Perusal as an authorized representative of the shareholders of Beijing Perusal at the shareholders’ meeting.

 

2.

Party A agrees to designate any entity or individual permitted under applicable laws to accept the authorization of Party B under Article 1 hereof, and such entity or individual shall exercise Party B’s voting and other rights as a shareholder on behalf of Party B under this Agreement. As of the date hereof, Party A hereby designates Shanshan Cui as the authorized individual to exercise voting and other rights as a shareholder on behalf of Party B under this Agreement. For avoidance of any doubt, Party A shall have the discretion to replace any entity or individual designated by it or designate any other entity or individual to exercise such voting and other rights on behalf of Party B.

 

3.

Party B hereby acknowledges that, regardless of any change of its equity interests in Beijing Perusal, any entity or individual designated by Party A shall be authorized to exercise all of the voting and other rights as a shareholder on behalf of Party B. If Party B transfers its equity interests in Beijing Perusal to any individual or entity other than Party A or any individual or entity designated by Party A (the “Transferee”), it shall procure and ensure that the Transferee shall authorize any individual or entity designated by Party A to exercise voting and any other rights as a shareholder on its behalf by entering into an agreement which form and content are similar to those of this Agreement in conjunction with its signing any equity transfer agreement.

 

4.

Party B hereby acknowledges that if Party A withdraws its designation of the authorized entity or individual, it shall immediately withdraw its authorization to such entity or individual, and authorize any other entity or individual designated by Party A to exercise all of its voting and other rights as a shareholder at the shareholders’ meeting of Beijing Perusal.

 

5.

This Agreement shall be effective upon execution by the Parties or their respective legal or authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

 

6.

This Agreement shall remain permanently valid unless otherwise expressly provided hereunder or terminated by Party A in writing. If any Party’s operating term expires during the term of this Agreement, such Party shall timely renew its operating term to enable this Agreement to be continually valid and implementable. If any Party’s application to renew its operating term fails to obtain approval or consent from competent authority, this Agreement shall terminate upon the end of such Party’s operating term, unless such Party has transferred its rights and obligations pursuant to Article 10 hereof.


7.

This Agreement shall remain valid as long as Party B is a holder of any equity interest in Beijing Perusal. During the term of this Agreement, unless otherwise required by law, Party B may not cancel, early terminate or end this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time with a written notice to Party B no less than thirty (30) days in advance.

 

8.

No amendment to this Agreement shall be made unless by agreement of the Parties in writing. Any duly executed amendment or supplement hereto by the Parties is an integral part of, and shall have the same binding effect with, this Agreement.

 

9.

Should any provision hereof be held invalid or unenforceable due to its inconsistency with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed invalid only to the extent governed by such law without affecting the validity of the remainder hereof.

 

10.

All notices or other correspondences required to be sent by any Party hereunder shall be made in Chinese and delivered to the following addresses of the other Party or any other address designated and notified to such Party from time to time by hand, mail or fax. The notices shall be deemed to have been duly served (a) on the day of delivery if it is sent by hand, (b) on the tenth (10th) day after it is sent by post-prepaid registered airmail (with marking of the mailing day on the postmark), or on the fourth (4th) day after the notice is handed to an internationally recognized express delivery service; (c) at the time of receipt shown on the transmission acknowledgement if it is sent by fax; and (d) on the day of successful delivery if it is delivered by electronic mail evidenced by the confirmation generated from the mail delivery system or without receipt of delivery failure or return message from the mail delivery system within 24 hours.

Party A: Baidu, Inc.

Address: M&C Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman,

KY1-1104, Cayman Islands

Attention: Yanhong Li

Fax:

Tel:

Party B:    

Shanshan Cui

Address:    

Fax:

Tel:

 

11.

Unless with Party A’s prior written consent, Party B shall not transfer its rights and obligations hereunder to any third party. Party B hereby agrees that Party A may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement at its own discretion provided that Party A is required to give a written notice to such effect to Party B, and no further consent of Party B is required thereof.

 

12.

Both Parties acknowledge and confirm that any oral or written information exchanged between the Parties in connection with this Agreement are confidential, and both Parties shall keep all such information confidential and not disclose any such information to any third person, except for the information which: (a) is known or will be known by the public (not resulting from unauthorized disclosure by the Party receiving such information); (b) is required to be disclosed by applicable laws or rules or regulations of a stock exchange; or (c) needs to be disclosed to a Party’s legal or financial advisor in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby, provided that such advisor shall be subject to confidential obligations similar to those provided in this Article. Disclosure by any employee of or entity engaged by any Party shall be deemed disclosure by such Party, and such disclosing Party shall be held liable for breach of this Agreement. This Article shall survive any invalidity, amendment, termination, dissolution or unenforceability of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.

 

13.

 

  (1)

The formation, validity, interpretation, performance, amendment and termination of and resolution of any dispute under this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

  (2)

Any dispute arising in connection with the interpretation and performance of the provisions of this Agreement shall first be resolved by the Parties in good faith through negotiations. If negotiations fail, any Party may submit such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission for arbitration in accordance with its arbitration rules then in effect. The arbitration shall be held in Beijing and the arbitration language shall be Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon both Parties.

 

2


  14.

This Agreement, once becoming effective, constitutes the entire agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes in their entirety all prior oral and written agreements and understandings between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

  15.

This Agreement shall be executed in two originals, and each Party shall hold one thereof. Both originals shall have the same legal effect.

(No text below)

 

3


(Signature page)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by its legal or authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Party A:
Baidu, Inc.
Signature:  

/s/ Yanhong Li

Title:   Director
Party B:  
Shanshan Cui  
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

 

4

Exhibit 4.90

Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement

This Exclusive Equity Purchase and Transfer Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into by and among the following parties in Beijing, PRC on October 30, 2019:

 

Party A:

  

Baidu, Inc.

Address:

  

M&C Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104,

Cayman Islands

Party B:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Address:

  

Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Party C:

  

Shanshan Cui

ID No.:

  

Party D:

  

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

  

A2 2/F No. 17 Building Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 East Bei Wang Road (W),

Haidian District, Beijing

In this Agreement, Party A, Party B, Party C and Party D are called collectively as the “Parties” and each of them is a “Party.”

WHEREAS:

1. Party A is a Cayman Islands company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands and an affiliate of Party B;

2. Party B is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”);

3. Party D is a liability limited company incorporated in Beijing, the PRC;

4. Party C is a shareholder of Party D, owning 50% equity interests in Party D (the “Equity Interest”);

5. Party B and Party C entered into a Loan Agreement dated October 30, 2019, whereby Party C obtains a loan up to RMB1,598,440,000 from Party B in connection with its acquiring 50% equity interests in Party D;    

6. Party B and Party D entered into a series of agreement dated June 23, 2006, including the Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Agreement (the “Services Agreements”), whereby Party B provides exclusive technology consulting and services to Party D; and

7. Party B and Party C entered into an Equity Pledge Agreement (the “Equity Pledge Agreement”) dated October 30, 2019, whereby Party C transfers all of the Equity Interest to Party B; and

8. Party A and Party C entered into a Proxy Agreement dated October 30, 2019 (the “Proxy Agreement”), whereby Party C authorizes the entity or individual designated by Party A to exercise all voting and other rights of Party C as a shareholder at the shareholders meeting of Party D.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows through negotiations and to be bound hereby:

1. Purchase and Sale of Equity Interest

1.1 Granting of Rights

Party C hereby irrevocably grants to Party A an option to purchase or cause any one or more designated persons (“Designated Persons”) to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC law, according to the steps determined by Party A, at the price specified in Section 1.3 of this Agreement, and at any time from Party C (the “Transferor”), a portion or all of the equity interests held by Party C in Party D (the “Option”). No Option shall be granted to any third party other than Party A and/or the Designated Persons. Party D hereby agrees to granting of the Option by Party C to Party A and/or the Designated Persons. For purpose of this Section 1.1 and this Agreement, “person” means any individual, corporation, joint venture, partnership, enterprise, trust or unincorporated organization.


1.2 Exercise Steps

Subject to PRC law and regulations, Party A and/or the Designated Persons may exercise the Option by issuing a written notice (the “Option Notice”) to the Transferor, specifying the equity interest to be purchased from the Transferor (the “Purchased Equity Interest”) and the manner of such purchase.

1.3 Purchase Price

1.3.1 If Party A exercises the Option, the purchase price of the Purchased Equity Interest (“Purchase Price”) shall be equal to the actual paid-in capital paid by the Transferor for the Purchased Equity Interest, unless then applicable PRC laws and regulations require appraisal of the Purchased Equity Interest or other restrictions on the Purchase price.

1.3.2 If the applicable PRC laws require appraisal of the Purchased Equity Interest or other restrictions on the Purchase Price at the time that Party A exercises the Option, the Parties agree that the Purchase Price shall be set at the lowest price permissible under applicable law.

1.4 Transfer of the Purchased Equity Interest

At each exercise of the Option:

1.4.1 The Transferor shall, in accordance the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Option Notice in connection with the Purchased Equity Interest, enter into an equity transfer agreement with Party A and/or the Designated Persons (as applicable) for each transfer in the substance and form satisfactory to Party A;

1.4.2 The Transferor shall execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or documents, obtain all requisite government approvals and consents, and take all necessary actions to unconditionally transfer the valid ownership of the Purchased Equity Interest to Party A and/or the Designated Persons free of any security interest, and cause Party A and/or the Designated Persons to be the registered owner(s) of the Purchased Equity Interest. For purpose of this Section 1.4.2 and this Agreement, “Security Interest” includes without limitation guaranty, mortgage, pledge, third-party right or interest, any share option, right of acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership retention or other security arrangements; provided, however, that it does not include any security interest arising under the Equity Pledge Agreement.

1.5 Payment

Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made in the manner determined through negotiations between Party A and/or the Designated Persons and the Transferor in accordance with then applicable laws at the exercise of the Option. The Parties hereby agree that, Transferor shall repay to Party B any amount that is paid by Party A and/or the Designated Persons to the Transferor in connection with the Purchased Equity Interest pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

2. Covenants Relating to the Equity Interest

2.1 Covenants Relating to Party D

Party C and Party D hereby covenant, in relation to Party D:

2.1.1 Not to supplement, amend or modify Party D’s articles of association in any way, or to increase or decrease its registered capital, or to change its registered capital structure in any way without Party A’s prior written consent;

2.1.2 To maintain the corporate existence of Party D and operate its business and deal with matters prudently and effectively according to good financial and business rules and practices;

2.1.3 Not to sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of, or permit any other security interest to be created on, any of Party D’s assets, business or legal or beneficial interests in its revenue at any time after the signing of this Agreement without Party A’s prior written consent;

2.1.4 Not to incur, succeed to, guarantee or permit the existence of any liability, without Party A’s prior written consent, except (i) liabilities arising from the normal course of business, but not arising from loans; and (ii) liabilities disclosed to Party A and approved by Party A in writing;

2.1.5 To operate persistently all the business in the normal course of business to maintain the value of Party D’s assets, and not to commit any act or omission that would affect its operations and asset value;

 

2


2.1.6 Without prior written consent by Party A, not to enter into any material agreement, other than agreements entered into in Party D’s normal course of business (for purpose of this paragraph, an agreement will be deemed material if its value exceeds RMB500,000);

2.1.7 Not to provide loans or credit to any person without Party A’s prior written consent;

2.1.8 To provide all information relating to Party D’s operations and financial conditions upon the request of Party A;

2.1.9 To purchase and maintain insurance from insurance companies accepted by Party A. The amount and category of the insurance shall be the same as those of the insurance normally procured by companies engaged in similar businesses and possessing similar properties or assets in the area where Party D is located;

2.1.10 Not to merge or consolidate with, or acquire or invest in, any person without Party A’s prior written consent;

2.1.11 To promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened suit, arbitration or administrative proceedings concerning Party D’s assets, business or revenue;

2.1.12 To execute all necessary or appropriate documents, take all necessary or appropriate actions and to bring all necessary or appropriate claims or to make all necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims in order for Party D to maintain the ownership over all its assets;

2.1.13 Not to distribute dividends to Party D’s shareholders in any way without Party A’s prior written consent; provided, however, that Party D shall promptly distribute all or part of its distributable profits to its shareholders upon Party A’s request; and

2.1.14 At the request of Party A, to appoint persons nominated by Party A to be executive directors of Party D.

2.2 Covenants Relating to the Transferor

Party C hereby covenants:

2.2.1 Not to sell, transfer, mortgage or otherwise dispose of, or allow any other security interest to be created on, the legal or beneficial interest in the Equity Interest at any time after the signing of this Agreement without Party A’s prior written consent, other than the pledge created on the Transferor’s Equity Interest in accordance with the Equity Pledge Agreement;

2.2.2 Without Party A’s prior written consent, not to vote for or sign any shareholders’ resolution at Party D’s shareholders’ meetings to approve the sale, transfer, mortgage or disposition in any other manner of, or the creation of any other security interest on, any legal or beneficial interest in the Equity Interest, except to or for the benefit of Party A or its designated persons;

2.2.3 Without Party A’s prior written consent, not to vote for or sign any shareholders’ resolution at Party D’s shareholders’ meetings to approve Party D’s merger or consolidation with, acquisition of or investment in, any person;

2.2.4 To promptly notify Party A of any pending or threatened suit, arbitration or administrative proceedings concerning the Equity Interest owned by it;

2.2.5 To execute all necessary or appropriate documents, to take all necessary or appropriate actions and to bring all necessary or appropriate claims or to make all necessary and appropriate defenses against all claims in order to maintain his ownership over the Equity Interest;

2.2.6 At the request of Party A, to appoint persons nominated by Party A to be executive directors of Party D;

2.2.7 At any time upon the request of Party A, to transfer its Equity Interest immediately and unconditionally to the representative designated by Party A, and waive its preemptive right with respect to the transfer of equity interest by the other shareholder of Party D;

2.2.8 To fully comply with the provisions of this Agreement and the other agreements entered into jointly or respectively by and among the Transferor, Party D and Party A, perform all obligations under these agreements and not commit any act or omission that would affect the validity and enforceability of these agreements; and

2.2.9 To transfer to Party A all dividends and any other form of profit distributed to it by Party D.

2.3 Covenants Relating to Party A

Party A hereby covenants:

2.3.1 If Party D needs any loan or other capital support in its business, under acceptable and reasonable scope, Party A shall provide such capital support without imposing any condition or restriction; and

 

3


2.3.2 If Party D cannot repay the loan from Party A as loss incurred and has sufficient evidence to prove, Party A agrees that it will unconditionally give up its right to require Party D to repay the loan.

3. Representations and Warranties

As of the date of this Agreement and each transfer date, each of the Transferor and Party D hereby represents and warrants to Party A as follows:

3.1 It has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, and any equity transfer agreement (the “Transfer Agreement”) to which it is a party for each transfer of the Purchased Equity under this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any Transfer Agreement. Once executed, this Agreement and any Transfer Agreement to which it is party will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance with its terms;

3.2 The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any Transfer Agreement by it will not: (i) violate any relevant PRC laws and regulations; (ii) conflict with its articles of association or other organizational documents; (iii) violate or constitute a default under any contract or instrument to which it is party or that binds upon it; (iv) violate any condition for the grant and/or continued effectiveness of any permit or approval granted to it; or (v) cause any permit or approval granted to it to be suspended, cancelled or attached with additional conditions;

3.3 Party D has good and marketable ownership of all of its assets and has not created any security interest on the said assets;

3.4 Party D has no outstanding liabilities, except (i) liabilities arising in its normal course of business; and (ii) liabilities disclosed to Party A and approved by Party A in writing;

3.5 There are currently no existing, pending or threatened litigations, arbitrations or administrative proceedings related to the Equity Interest, Party D’s assets or Party D; and

3.6 The Transferor has good and marketable ownership interest in the Equity Interest and has not created any security interest on such Equity Interest, other than the security interest pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement and the restrictions provided under the Proxy Agreement and hereunder.

4. Assignment of Agreement

4.1 Neither Party C or Party D may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of Party A.

4.2 Party C and Party D hereby agree that Party A may assign all its rights and obligation under this Agreement to a third party as Party A sees fit, in which case Party A only needs to give a written notice to Party C and Party D and no further consent of Party C or Party D is required.

5. Effectiveness and Term

5.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth above and expire when all Equity Interest held by Party B is transferred to Party A and/or Designated Persons in accordance with this Agreement.

5.2 If the duration of operation (including any extension thereof) of Party A or Party D is expired or terminated for other reasons within the term set forth in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall be terminated simultaneously, except in the situation where Party A has assigned its rights and obligations in accordance with Section 4.2 hereof.

6. Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution

6.1 Applicable Law

The formation, validity, interpretation and performance of and resolution of any dispute arising from this Agreement shall be protected and governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

4


6.2 Dispute Resolution

Any dispute arising in connection with the interpretation and performance of the provisions of this Agreement shall be resolved by the Parties in good faith through negotiations. In case no resolution can be reached by the Parties within thirty (30) days after either party makes a request for dispute resolution through negotiations, either party may refer such dispute to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”) for arbitration in accordance with CIETAC’s arbitration rules then in effect. The seat of arbitration shall be Beijing and language of proceedings shall be Chinese. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.

7. Taxes and Expenses

Every Party shall, in accordance with PRC laws, bear any and all transfer and registration taxes, expenses and charges incurred by or levied on it with respect to the preparation and execution of this Agreement and each Transfer Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and each Transfer Agreement.

8. Notices

Any notice or other communication forms which is given by the parties hereto shall be in Chinese and delivered personally to the addresses listed as below or the addresses designated by the Parties. The notice time which is deemed as the time when the notice actually reaches the addressee follows: (a) the notice time of the notice delivered personally shall be the day when the person conducts the delivery; (b) the notice time of the notice delivered as mail shall be the tenth (10th) day following the mailing date of the registered mail by air (marked by seal) or shall be the fourth (4th) day following the day handing to internally recognized delivery services organizations; (c) the notice time of the notice delivered by facsimile shall be the acceptance time on the delivery confirmation; and (d) on the day of successful delivery if it is delivered by electronic mail evidenced by the confirmation generated from the mail delivery system or without receipt of delivery failure or return message from the mail delivery system within 24 hours.

 

Party A:

  

Baidu, Inc.

Address:

  

M&C Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104,

Cayman Islands

Attention:

  

Yanhong Li

Facsimile:

  

Telephone:

  

Party B:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Address:

  

3/F, Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

  

Shanshan Cui

Facsimile:

  

Telephone:

  

Party C:

  

Shanshan Cui

Address:

  

Facsimile:

  

Telephone:

  

Party C:

  

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

Address:

  

A2 2/F No. 17 Building Zhongguancun Software Park, 8 East Bei Wang Road

(W), Haidian District, Beijing

Attention:

  

Shanshan Cui

Facsimile:

  

Telephone:

  

 

5


9. Confidentiality

The Parties acknowledge and confirm any oral or written materials exchanged by the Parties in connection with this Agreement are confidential. The Parties shall maintain the confidentiality of all such materials. Without the written approval by the other Parties, any Party shall not disclose to any third party any relevant materials, but the following circumstances shall be excluded:

 

  a.

Materials that are or will become known by the public (through no fault of the receiving party);

 

  b.

Materials required to be disclosed by the applicable laws or rules of the stock exchange; and

 

  c.

Materials disclosed by each Party to its legal or financial advisors relating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and such legal or financial advisors shall comply with the confidentiality provisions similar to this article.

The disclosure of information by the staff or consultants of any party shall be deemed as disclosure by the party itself. This Article 9 shall survive any invalidity, termination, expiration or unenforceability of this Agreement.

10. Further Assurances

The Parties agree to promptly execute documents and take further actions that are reasonably required for, or beneficial to, the purpose of performing the provisions and carrying out the intent of this Agreement.

11. Breach Liabilities

11.1 Party A shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and/or hold Party C or Party D liable for any damages if Party C or Party D is in material breach of any provision under this Agreement. This Section 11.1 shall not be prejudicial to any other right of Party A under this Agreement.

11.2 Unless otherwise legally required, neither Party C or Party D may terminate or otherwise end this Agreement under any circumstance.

12. Miscellaneous

12.1 Amendment, Modification or Supplement

Any amendment or supplement to this Agreement shall be made by the Parties in writing. The amendments or supplements duly executed by each Party shall be deemed as a part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

12.2 Entire Agreement

Notwithstanding Article 5 of this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge that once this Agreement becomes effective, it shall constitute the entire agreements of the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof and shall supersede all prior oral and/or written agreements and understandings by the Parties with respect to the subject matters hereof.

12.3 Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is judged to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect according to any applicable law or regulation, the validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall, through good-faith negotiations, replace those invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions that may bring about economic effects as similar as possible to those from such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

12.4 Headings

The headings contained in this Agreement are for the convenience of reference only and shall not be used for the interpretation or explanation or otherwise affect the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.

12.5 Language and counterparts

This Agreement is executed in Chinese in four originals; each Party holds one original and each original has the same legal effect.

12.6 Successor

This Agreement shall bind upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of each Party.

 

6


12.7 Survival

Any obligation arising from or becoming due under this Agreement before its expiration or premature termination shall survive such expiration or early termination. Articles 6, 8 and 9 and this Section 12.7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

12.8 Waiver

Any Party may waive the terms and conditions of this Agreement by a written instrument signed by the Parties. Any waiver by a Party to a breach by the other Parties in a specific situation shall not be construed as a waiver to any similar breach by the other Parties in other situations.

(No text below)

 

7


(Signature page)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by its legal or authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Party A:
Baidu, Inc.
Signature:  

/s/ Yanhong Li

Title:   Director
Party B:
Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Title:   Legal Representative
Party C:
Shanshan Cui
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Party D:
Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Title:   Legal Representative

 

8

Exhibit 4.91

EQUITY PLEDGE AGREEMENT

This Equity Pledge Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of October 30, 2019 in Beijing, PRC by and between:

 

Pledgee:

  

Party A:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Registered Address:

  

Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing;

And

  

Pledgor:

  

Party B:

  

Shanshan Cui

ID No.

  

Address:

  

WHEREAS:

1. Party A is a wholly foreign-owned enterprise registered in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”).

2. Party B is a citizen of the PRC holding 50.0% equity interests in Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Perusal”), a limited liability company registered in Beijing, the PRC.

3. Party A and Party B entered into a Loan Agreement dated October 30, 2019 (the “Loan Agreement”), whereby Party B obtains a loan (the “Loan Arrangement”) up to a total amount of RMB1,598,440,000 (the “Loan”).

4. Party A and Beijing Perusal entered into an Exclusive Technology Consulting and Services Agreement dated June 23, 2006 (the “Services Agreement”) with permanent term, pursuant to which Beijing Perusal shall pay Party A technical consulting and services fees (the “Service Fees”) for the technology consulting and services provided by Party A.

5. In order to ensure that Party B will perform its obligations under the Loan Agreement and Party A will be able to collect the Service Fees from Beijing Perusal, Party B agrees to pledge its equity interests in Beijing Perusal (i.e., a registered capital equal to RMB1,580,000,000) as security for the Loan (i.e., RMB1,598,440,000) and other obligations under the Loan Arrangement and the Service Agreement. Party A and Party B intend to enter into this Agreement to specify their respective rights and obligations in respect of such pledge.

NOW THEREFORE, the Pledgee and the Pledgor agree as follows through negotiations:

1. Definitions

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1.1 “Pledge”: refers to the full content of Article 2 hereunder.

1.2 “Equity Interests”: refers to all of the equity interests in Beijing Perusal legally held by the Pledgor (for purpose of this Agreement, the Equity Interests pledged herein means the registered capital equal to RMB1,580,000,000).

1.3 “Ratio of Pledge”: refers to the proportion of the value of the Pledge under this Agreement to the total amount of the Service Fees and the Loan.

1.4 “Term of Pledge”: refers to the period provided for under Article 3.2 hereunder.

1.5 “Principal Agreement”: refers to the Services Agreements and the agreements under the Loan Arrangement.

1.6 “Event of Default”: refers to any event listed in Article 7.1 hereunder.

1.7 “Notice of Default”: refers to the notice of default issued by the Pledgee in accordance with this Agreement.


2. Pledge

The Pledgor will pledge all of his Equity Interests in Beijing Perusal (i.e., a registered capital equal to RMB1,580,000,000) to the Pledgee as security for (i) all his obligations under the Loan Arrangement (i.e., RMB1,598,440,000) and (ii) all obligations of Beijing Perusal under the Services Agreement (the “Secured Obligations”). “Pledge” refers to the priority entitled to the Pledgee in receiving proceeds from disposal of all or part of the Equity Interests at a discounted value, or auction or sale of the Equity Interests pledged hereunder.

3. Ratio of Pledge and Term of Pledge

3.1 Ratio of the Pledge

The Ratio of the Pledge shall be approximately 100%.

3.2 Term of the Pledge

3.2.1 The Pledge shall take effect as of the date when the pledge of the Equity Interest is recorded in the Register of Shareholders of Beijing Perusal and registered with the competent industrial and commercial authority, and shall remain in effect until two (2) years after all Secured Obligations under the Principal Agreement have been fulfilled.

3.2.2 During the term of the Pledge, the Pledgee shall be entitled to dispose of the Pledge in accordance with this Agreement in the event that the Pledgor fails to perform his obligations under the Loan Arrangement or Beijing Perusal fails perform its obligations under the Services Agreement.

4. Possession of Pledge Documents

4.1 During the Term of Pledge under this Agreement, the Pledgor shall deliver its capital contribution certificate and the register of shareholders of Beijing Perusal to the possession of the Pledgee within one (1) week from the date of this Agreement.

4.2 The Pledgee shall be entitled to receiving dividends arising from the Equity Interests.

4.3 The Pledge under this Agreement will be recorded in the Register of Shareholders of Beijing Perusal (See Appendix I) after the date of this Agreement.

5. Representations and Warranties of the Pledgor

5.1 The Pledgor is the legal owner of the Equity Interests and has approved the Pledge with resolutions adopted at its shareholders meeting (See Appendix II).

5.2 Except for the benefit of the Pledgee, no other pledge or security has been created upon the Equity Interests.

6. Covenants of the Pledgor

6.1 During the term of this Agreement, the Pledgor covenants for its benefits of the Pledgee that the Pledgor shall:

6.1.1 not transfer or assign the Equity Interests, create or permit creation of any other pledge which could affect the rights or benefits of the Pledgee without prior written consent of the Pledgee;

6.1.2 comply with and implement the laws and regulations with respect to the pledge of rights; present to the Pledgee the notices, orders or suggestions with respect to the Pledge issued or made by relevant government authorities within five (5) days upon receiving such notices, orders or suggestions; comply with such notices, orders or suggestions or, alternatively, at the reasonable request of the Pledgee or with consent from the Pledgee, raise objection to such notices, orders or suggestions; and

6.1.3 timely notify the Pledgee of any event or any notice to its knowledge which may affect the Pledgor’s right to all or any part of the Equity Interests, and any event or any notice to its knowledge which may change the Pledgor’s warranties and obligations under this Agreement or affect the Pledgor’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

2


6.2 The Pledgor agrees that the Pledgee’s right to the Pledge under this Agreement shall not be disrupted or prejudiced by any legal proceeding initiated by the Pledgor or any successor of the Pledgor or any person authorized by the Pledgor or any other person.

6.3 The Pledgor promises to the Pledgee that in order to protect or perfect the security for the payment of the Loan and the Services Fees, the Pledgor shall execute in good faith and cause other parties who have interests in the Pledge to execute, all title certificates and contracts and/or to perform any other actions (and cause other parties who have interests to take action) as required by the Pledgee and facilitate the exercise of the rights and authorization vested in the Pledgee under this Agreement.

6.4 The Pledgor promises to the Pledgee that he will execute all amendment (if applicable and necessary) in connection with the certificate of the Equity Interests with the Pledgee or its designated person (being a natural person or a legal entity) and, within a reasonable period, provide to the Pledgee all notices, orders and decisions about the Pledge as the Pledgee deems necessary.

6.5 The Pledgor promises to the Pledgee that he will comply with and perform all the guarantees, covenants, warranties, representations and conditions for the benefit of the Pledgee. The Pledgor shall indemnify the Pledgee for all losses suffered by the Pledgee due to the Pledgor’s failure to perform in whole or in part its guarantees, covenants, warranties, representations and conditions.

6.6 During the term of this Agreement, the Pledgor will not make any action/omission which may affect the value of the Equity Interests so as to maintain or increase the value. The Pledgor shall timely notify the Pledgee of any event which may decrease the value of the Equity Interests or affect the Pledgor’s performance of the obligations under this Agreement, and shall provide assets acceptable to the Pledgee as guarantee for the decreased value of the Equity Interests upon the Pledgee’s request.

6.7 To the extent permitted under applicable laws or regulations, the Pledgor shall make best efforts to cooperate with all the registration, filing or other procedures relating to the Pledge as required by relevant laws and regulations.

7. Event of Default

7.1 Each of the following events shall be regarded as an Event of Default:

7.1.1 Pledgor fails to perform its obligations under the Loan Arrangement, including without limitation the obligation to repay the Loan of RMB1,598,440,000 under the Loan Agreement;

7.1.2 Beijing Perusal fails to make due and full payment of the Services Fees or perform other obligations under the Services Agreement;

7.1.3 Any representation or warranty made by the Pledgor in Article 5 hereof is materially misleading or erroneous, and/or the Pledgor breaches any warranty in Article 5 hereof;

7.1.4 The Pledgor breaches any covenant under Article 6 hereof;

7.1.5 The Pledgor breaches any other provision of this Agreement;

7.1.6 The Pledgor waives the pledged Equity Interests or transfers or assigns the pledged Equity Interests without prior written consent from the Pledgee;

7.1.7 Any of the Pledgor’s external loans, guaranties, compensations, undertakings or other obligations (1) is accelerated for repayment due to any default; or (2) fails to be duly repaid or performed and makes the Pledgee believe that the Pledgor’s ability to perform the obligations hereunder has been affected;

7.1.8 Beijing Perusal is incapable of repaying its general debts or other debts;

7.1.9 This Agreement becomes illegal or the Pledgor is not capable of continuing to perform the obligations hereunder due to any reason other than a Force Majeure event;

7.1.10 There have been adverse change to the properties owned by the Pledgor, causing the Pledgee to believe that the capability of the Pledgor to perform the obligations hereunder has been affected;

7.1.11 The successor or receiver of Beijing Perusal only partially performs or refuses to perform the payment obligation under the Services Agreement; and

7.1.12 The breach of the other provisions of this Agreement by the Pledgor due to its action or omission.

7.2 The Pledgor shall immediately give a written notice to the Pledgee if it becomes knowledge of the Pledgor that any event specified under Article 7.1 hereof or any event that may result in the foregoing events has occurred.

 

3


7.3 Unless an event of default under Article 7.1 hereof has been resolved to the Pledgee’s satisfaction, the Pledgee, at any time when the event of default occurs thereafter, may give a written Notice of Default to the Pledgor, requiring the Pledgor to immediately make full payment of the outstanding amount under the Loan Arrangement or under the Services Agreement or requesting to exercise the Pledge in accordance with Article 8 hereof.

8. Exercise of the Pledge

8.1 The Pledgor shall not transfer or assign the Equity Interest without prior written consent from the Pledgee prior to the full performance of his obligations under the Loan Arrangement and supplementary agreement and full payment of all Service Fees under the Services Agreement, whichever is later.

8.2 The Pledgee shall give a Notice of Default to the Pledgor when the Pledgee exercises the Pledge.

8.3 Subject to Article 7.3, the Pledgee may exercise the Pledge when the Pledgee gives a Notice of Default in accordance with Article 7.3 or at any time thereafter.

8.4 The Pledgee is entitled to priority in receiving payment in the form of all or part of the Equity Interest at a discounted value, or from the proceeds from the auction or sale of all or part of the Equity Interest in accordance with legal procedure, until the outstanding debt and all other payables of the Pledgor under Loan Arrangement and Services Agreement are repaid.

8.5 The Pledgor shall not hinder the Pledgee from exercising the Pledge in accordance with this Agreement and shall give necessary assistance so that the Pledgee could fully exercise its Pledge.

9. Assignment

9.1 The Pledgor shall not assign or transfer its rights and obligations hereunder without prior consent from the Pledgee.

9.2 This Agreement shall be binding upon the Pledgor and his successors and be binding on the Pledgee and each of its successors and permitted assigns.

9.3 To the extent permitted by law, the Pledgee may transfer or assign any or all of its rights and obligations under the Loan Arrangement and supplementary agreements to any person (natural person or legal entity) designated by it at any time. In that case, the assignee shall have the same rights and obligations as those of the Pledgee as if the assignee were an original party hereto. When the Pledgee transfers or assigns the rights and obligations under the Services Agreement, Loan Arrangement and supplementary agreements, it is only required to provide a written notice to the Pledgor, and at the request of the Pledgee, the Pledgor shall execute the relevant agreements and/or documents with respect to such transfer or assignment.

9.4 After the Pledgee has been changed as a result of a transfer or an assignment, the new parties to the Pledge shall execute a new pledge contract.

10. Effectiveness and Term

This Agreement is executed on the date first set forth above and becomes effective from the date when the pledge is recorded on Beijing Perusal’s Register of Shareholders.

11. Termination

This Agreement shall terminate when the loan under the Loan Arrangement and the Services Fees under the Services Agreement have been fully repaid and the Pledgor no longer has any outstanding obligations under the Loan Arrangement and Beijing Perusal no longer has any outstanding obligations under the Services Agreement. The Pledgee shall cancel or terminate this Agreement as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, .

12. Fees and Other Charges

12.1 The Pledgor shall be responsible for all of the fees and actual expenses in relation to this Agreement including, but not limited to, legal fees, production costs, stamp tax and any other taxes and charges. If the Pledgee pays the relevant taxes in accordance with the laws, the Pledgor shall fully indemnify the Pledgee for such taxes paid by the Pledgee.

 

4


12.2 In the event that the Pledgee has to make a claim against the Pledgor by any means as a result of the Pledgor’s failure to pay any tax or expense payable by the Pledgor under this Agreement, the Pledgor shall be responsible for all the expenses arising from such claim (including but not limited to any taxes, handling fees, management fees, litigation fees, attorney’s fees, and various insurance premiums in connection with the disposition of the Pledge).

13. Force Majeure

13.1 A Force Majeure event refers to any unforeseen event that is beyond a party’s reasonable control and cannot be prevented with reasonable care, which includes but is not limited to acts of governments, changes of law, acts of God, fires, explosions, typhoons, floods, earthquake, tides, lightning or war; provided, however, that any insufficiency of creditworthiness, capital or financing shall not be regarded as an event beyond a party’s reasonable control. The affected party by Force Majeure shall promptly notify the other party of such event resulting in exemption.

13.2 In the event that the affected party is delayed or prevented from performing its obligations under this Agreement by Force Majeure, and only to the extent of such delay and prevention, the affected party shall not be liable for obligations under this Agreement. The affected party shall take appropriate measures to minimize or remove the effects of Force Majeure and attempt to resume performance of the obligations that were delayed or prevented by the event of Force Majeure. After the event of Force Majeure is removed, both Parties agree to resume the performance of this Agreement using their best efforts.

14. Confidentiality

The Parties acknowledge and confirm that all the oral and written materials exchanged relating to this Agreement are confidential. Each party must keep such materials confidential and cannot disclose such materials to any other third party without the other party’s prior written approval, unless: (a) the public knows or will know the materials (not due of the disclosure by the receiving party); (b) the disclosed materials are required by law or stock exchange rules to be disclosed; or (c) materials relating to the transactions under this Agreement are disclosed to the Parties’ legal or financial advisors, who must keep them confidential as well. Disclosure of the confidential information by employees or institutions hired by the Parties is deemed as an act by the Parties, therefore, subjecting them to liability.

15. Dispute Resolution

15.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with PRC law.

15.2 The Parties shall strive to resolve any dispute arising from the interpretation or performance of this Agreement through negotiations in good faith. If the negotiations fail, either Party may submit such matter to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (“CIETAC”) for arbitration in accordance with its rules then in effect. The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese and shall take place in Beijing, PRC. The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties.

16. Notice

Any notice which is given by the Parties hereto for the purpose of performing the rights and obligations hereunder shall be in writing. If such notice is delivered personally, the time of notice is the time when such notice actually reaches the addressee; where such notice is transmitted by telex or facsimile, the notice time is the time when such notice is transmitted. If such notice does not reach the addressee on a business day or reaches the addressee after business hours, the next business day following such day is the date of notice. The delivery place is the address first written above for each of the Parties hereto or the address advised by such party in writing, including facsimile and telex, from time to time.

 

5


Party A:

  

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Address:

  

Baidu Building, No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street, Haidian District, Beijing

Fax:

  

Telephone:

  

Party B:

  

Shanshan Cui

Address:

  

Telephone:

  

17. Entire Agreement

Notwithstanding provisions in Article 10 hereof, the Parties agree that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreements of the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter herein upon its effectiveness and supersedes and replaces all prior oral and/or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matters of this Agreement.

18. Severability

Should any provision of this Agreement be held invalid or unenforceable because of inconsistency with applicable laws, such provision shall be invalid or unenforceable only to the extent of such applicable laws without affecting the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement.

19. Appendices

The appendices to this Agreement shall constitute an integral part of this Agreement.

20. Amendment or Supplement

20.1 The Parties may amend or supplement this Agreement by written agreement. The amendments or supplements to this Agreement duly executed by both Parties shall form an integral part of this Agreement and shall have the same legal effect as this Agreement.

20.2 This Agreement and any amendments, modifications, supplements, additions or changes hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective upon being executed and sealed by the Parties hereto.

21. Counterparts

This Agreement is made in Chinese in three originals, with each Party holding one thereof and the remainder filed with competent authority. All originals shall have the same legal effect.

(No text below)

 

6


(Signature page only)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Party has executed or caused this Agreement to be executed by its legal or authorized representative on its behalf as of the date first written above.

 

Party A:
Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (seal)
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Party B:  
Shanshan Cui  
Signature:  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

 

7


Appendices:

 

1.

Register of Shareholders of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

 

2.

Resolutions of the Shareholders’ Meeting of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

 

8


Appendix I

Register of shareholders of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Name of the Shareholder:

   Zhixiang Liang

ID number:

  

Residence:

  

Contribution Amount:

   RMB1,580,000,000.00

Percentage of Share Capital:

   50%

 

Name of the Shareholder:

   Shanshan Cui

ID number:

  

Residence:

  

Contribution Amount:

   RMB1,580,000,000.00

Percentage of Share Capital:

   50%

Zhixiang Liang holds 50% equity interests in Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd., the entirety of which has been pledged to Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Shanshan Cui holds 50% equity interests in Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd., the entirety of which has been pledged to Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. is the pledgee of 100% of the equity interests in Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

 

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (seal)

Signature: /s/ Shanshan Cui                                                             

Name:

  

Shanshan Cui

Title:

  

Legal representative

Date:

  

October 30, 2019

 

9


Appendix II

Resolutions of the Shareholders’ Meeting of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd.

In respect of the Equity Pledge Agreement dated October 30, 2019 between the shareholders of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) and Beijing Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., a resolution is unanimously adopted at the shareholders’ meeting of the Company as follows:

It is approved that the shareholders of the Company pledge all of their equity interests in the Company to Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

The resolution was signed and delivered dated October 30, 2019 by the undersigned shareholders.

 

Shareholders:

Zhixiang Liang

Signature:

  

/s/ Zhixiang Liang                                         

Shanshan Cui

  

Signature:

  

/s/ Shanshan Cuiang                                    

 

10

Exhibit 4.92

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Zhixiang Liang, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC”) with ID No. and a shareholder holding 50% equity interests of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Perusal”), hereby irrevocably authorizes, pursuant to the Proxy Agreement dated hereof between me and Baidu, Inc., as well as by designation of Baidu, Inc., Shanshan Cui with the following powers and rights in respect of my existing and future equity holding in Beijing Perusal (“My Equity”) during the term of this Power of Attorney:

Shanshan Cui is hereby authorized as my sole and exclusive agent to exercise on my behalf all of my rights as a shareholder to vote at shareholders’ meetings of Beijing Perusal in accordance with PRC laws and the articles of Beijing Perusal, including without limitation the right to sell or transfer any or all of My Equity, and to designate and appoint the general manager of Beijing Perusal as my authorized representative at the shareholders’ meeting of Beijing Perusal.

Such authorization is premised on the condition that Shanshan Cui is an employee of Baidu, Inc. and its affiliates, and Baidu, Inc. agrees to such authorization. Once Shanshan Cui’s employment with Baidu, Inc. and its affiliates terminates, or I am notified by Baidu, Inc. to terminate such authorization, I will withdraw the authorization made hereunder immediately and designate/authorize any other person nominated by Baidu, Inc. to exercise all of my rights as a shareholder to vote at shareholders’ meetings of Beijing Perusal.

Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to have effect as of the date hereof as long as I holds equity interests in Beijing Perusal.

 

(Signature):  

/s/ Zhixiang Liang

Date: October 30, 2019

Exhibit 4.93

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Shanshan Cui, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC”) with ID No. and a shareholder holding 50% equity interests of Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. (“Beijing Perusal”), hereby irrevocably authorizes, pursuant to the Proxy Agreement dated hereof between me and Baidu, Inc., as well as by designation of Baidu, Inc., Shanshan Cui with the following powers and rights in respect of my existing and future equity holding in Beijing Perusal (“My Equity”) during the term of this Power of Attorney:

Shanshan Cui is hereby authorized as my sole and exclusive agent to exercise on my behalf all of my rights as a shareholder to vote at shareholders’ meetings of Beijing Perusal in accordance with PRC laws and the articles of Beijing Perusal, including without limitation the right to sell or transfer any or all of My Equity, and to designate and appoint the general manager of Beijing Perusal as my authorized representative at the shareholders’ meeting of Beijing Perusal.

Such authorization is premised on the condition that Shanshan Cui is an employee of Baidu, Inc. and its affiliates, and Baidu, Inc. agrees to such authorization. Once Shanshan Cui’s employment with Baidu, Inc. and its affiliates terminates, or I am notified by Baidu, Inc. to terminate such authorization, I will withdraw the authorization made hereunder immediately and designate/authorize any other person nominated by Baidu, Inc. to exercise all of my rights as a shareholder to vote at shareholders’ meetings of Beijing Perusal.

Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, this Power of Attorney is irrevocable and continues to have effect as of the date hereof as long as I holds equity interests in Beijing Perusal.

 

(Signature):  

/s/ Shanshan Cui

Date: October 30, 2019

Exhibit 8.1

List of Principal Subsidiaries and Consolidated Affiliated Entities

Subsidiaries:

Baidu Holdings Limited — Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands

Baidu (Hong Kong) Limited — Incorporated in Hong Kong

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Baidu (China) Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Baidu.com Times Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Baidu International Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Qiyi.com, Inc. — Incorporated in the Cayman Islands

Beijing QIYI Century Science & Technology Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Baidu Cloud Computing Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Consolidated Affiliated Entities:

Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Beijing Perusal Technology Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

Beijing iQIYI Science & Technology Co., Ltd. — Incorporated in the PRC

 

 

185

Exhibit 12.1

Certification by the Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Robin Yanhong Li, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Baidu, Inc.;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 9, 2021

 

By:  

/s/ Robin Yanhong Li

Name:   Robin Yanhong Li
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

186

Exhibit 12.2

Certification by the Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Herman Yu, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Baidu, Inc.;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 9, 2021

 

By:  

/s/ Herman Yu

Name:   Herman Yu
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

187

Exhibit 13.1

Certification by the Principal Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Baidu, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robin Yanhong Li, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 9, 2021

 

By:  

/s/ Robin Yanhong Li

Name:   Robin Yanhong Li
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

 

188

Exhibit 13.2

Certification by the Principal Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Baidu, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Herman Yu, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: March 9, 2021

 

By:  

/s/ Herman Yu

Name:   Herman Yu
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

189

Exhibit 15.1

[Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP Letterhead]

Baidu, Inc.

Baidu Campus

No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street

Haidian District, Beijing 100085

The People’s Republic of China

March 9, 2021

Dear Sirs

Baidu, Inc.

We consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Item 10.E. Additional Information—Taxation—Cayman Islands Tax Considerations” and “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” in Baidu Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2020 (the “Annual Report”), which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the month of March 2021, and further consent to the incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-129374) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2000 Option Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-158678) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2008 Share Incentive Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-232429) pertaining to Baidu Inc.’s 2018 Share Incentive Plan, and Registration Statement (Form F-3 No. 333-249314) of Baidu, Inc. of the summary of our opinion under the heading “Item 10.E. Additional Information—Taxation—Cayman Islands Tax Considerations” and “Item 16G. Corporate Governance” in the Annual Report. We also consent to the filing with the SEC of this consent letter as an exhibit to the Annual Report.

In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in each case, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Yours faithfully,

 

/s/ Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP

 

190

Exhibit 15.2

[Han Kun Law Offices Letterhead]

March 9, 2021

Baidu, Inc.

Baidu Campus

No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street

Haidian District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China 100085

Dear Sir/Madam:

We hereby consent to the reference of our name under the heading “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulations” in Baidu, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Annual Report”), which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the month of March 2021, and further consent to the incorporation by reference into the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-129374) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2000 Option Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-158678) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2008 Share Incentive Plan, Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-232429) pertaining to Baidu Inc.’s 2018 Share Incentive Plan, and Registration Statement (Form F-3 No. 333-249314) of Baidu, Inc. of the summary of our opinion under the heading “Item 4.B. Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulations” in the Annual Report. We also consent to the filing of this consent letter with the SEC as an exhibit to the Annual Report.

In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in each case, as amended, or the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Han Kun Law Offices

Han Kun Law Offices

 

191

Exhibit 15.3

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1)     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-129374) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2000 Option Plan,

(2)     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-158678) pertaining to Baidu, Inc.’s 2008 Share Incentive Plan,

(3)     Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-232429) pertaining to Baidu Inc.’s 2018 Share Incentive Plan, and

(4)     Registration Statement (Form F-3 No. 333-249314) of Baidu, Inc.

of our reports dated March 9, 2021, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Baidu, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Baidu, Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 20-F) of Baidu, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

/s/ Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP

Beijing, The People’s Republic of China

March 9, 2021

 

192



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