Quarterly Report — Form 10-Q
Filing Table of Contents
Document/Exhibit Description Pages Size
1: 10-Q Quarterly Report 33 187K
2: EX-9 Voting Trust Agreement 31 114K
3: EX-10 Material Contract 19 72K
4: EX-10 Material Contract 10 41K
5: EX-10 Material Contract 9 38K
6: EX-10 Material Contract 4 27K
7: EX-10 Material Contract 4 25K
8: EX-10 Material Contract 4 25K
9: EX-31 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 302) 2 16K
10: EX-32 Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 906) 2 9K
EX-9 — Voting Trust Agreement
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JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
In accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Joint
Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment (the "Joint Venture Law") and
other relevant Chinese laws and regulations, Fengfan Group Limited Liability
Company and Valence Technology Inc., in accordance with the principle of
equality and mutual benefit and through friendly consultations, agree to jointly
invest to establish a joint venture enterprise in Baoding City, Hebei Province
of the People's Republic of China.
CHAPTER 2 PARTIES TO THIS CONTRACT
Article 1 Parties to this Joint Venture Contract
1. Baoding Fengfan Group Limited Liability Company (hereinafter referred to as
Party A), established and existing under the laws of the People's Republic
of China ("PRC"), registered with the No. 1306001000338 Business License in
China.
Legal address: 8 Fuchang Road, Baoding City, Hebei Province, PRC
Legal Representative of Party A:
Name: Mengli Chen
Position: CHAIRMAN AND GENERAL MANAGER
Nationality: Chinese
2. Valence Technology, Inc., (hereinafter referred to as Party B), established
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware in the United States
of America ("USA").
Registered address: 301 Conestoga Way, Henderson, Nevada 89015, USA
Legal Representative of Party B:
Name: Stephan B. Godevais
Position: CHAIRMAN AND CEO
Nationality: United States of America
(Party A and Party B may separately be referred to herein as "the Party",
and collectively as "the Parties.")
3. Each of the Parties hereby represents and warrants to the other Party that,
as of the date hereof
and as of the Effective Date:
(1) Such Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the place of its establishment or incorporation;
(2) such Party has all requisite power and approval required to enter into
this Contract and, upon the Effective Date, will have all requisite
power and approval, but subject to government approval, to perform
fully each and every one of its obligations hereunder;
(3) such Party has taken all internal and corporate actions necessary to
authorize it to enter into this Contract and its representative whose
signature is affixed hereto is fully authorized to sign this Contract
and to bind such Party thereby;
(4) Upon the Effective Date, this Contract shall be legally binding on
such Party;
(5) neither the signature of this Contract nor the performance of its
obligations hereunder will conflict with, or result in a breach of, or
constitute a default under, any provision of the Articles of
Association (in the case of Party A) or the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws (in the case of Party B) of such Party, or
any law, regulation, rule, authorization or approval of any government
agency or body, or of any contract or agreement, to which such Party
is a party or subject;
(6) no lawsuit, arbitration, other legal or administrative proceeding, or
governmental investigation is pending, or to the best of such Party's
knowledge threatened, against such Party that would affect in any way
its ability to enter into or perform this Contract; and
(7) all documents, statements and information of or derived from any
governmental body of China in the possession of such Party relating to
the transactions contemplated by this Contract which may have a
material adverse effect on such Party's ability to fully perform its
obligations hereunder, or which if disclosed to the other Party, would
have a material effect on the other Party' willingness to enter into
this Contract, have been disclosed to the other Party, and no document
previously provided by such Party to the other Party contains any
untrue statement of material fact or omits to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not
misleading.
CHAPTER 3 DEFINITIONS
Unless otherwise provided herein, the following words and terms used in this
Contract shall have the meanings set forth below:
Article 2
"Affiliate" means, in relation to Party A, any enterprise or other entity which,
directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, Party A; the term
"control" meaning ownership of fifty percent (50%) or
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more of the registered capital or voting stock or the power to appoint the
general manager, factory chief or other principal person in charge of an
enterprise or other entity.
"Affiliate" means, in relation to Party B, any company which, through ownership
of voting stock or otherwise, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, under
common control with, or in control of, Party B; the term "control" meaning
ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting stock or the power to
appoint or elect a majority of the directors or the power to direct the
management of a company.
Article 3
"Articles of Association" means the Articles of Association of the Joint Venture
Company signed by Party A and Party B simultaneously with this Contract in
Baoding, People's Republic of China.
Article 3A
"Bellcore(LCO) Cells or Batteries" means lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cells and
batteries in a stacked (Bellcore) construction.
Article 3B
"Bellcore(P1a) Cells or Batteries" means lithium iron magnesium phosphate (P1a)
cells and batteries in a stacked (Bellcore) construction.
Article 4
"Board of Directors" means the board of directors of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 5
"Business License" means the business license of the Joint Venture Company
issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce or the competent
local Administration for Industry and Commerce.
Article 6
"CEO" means the general manager of the Joint Venture Company. "Deputy CEO" means
the deputy general manager of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 7
" China" or "PRC" means the People's Republic of China. Solely for the
commercial purposes of this Contract, the terms "China" or "PRC" shall be
understood to mean China mainland.
Article 8
"Company Establishment Date" means the date of issuance of the Business License.
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Article 9
"Contract for Technology Investment" means the contract for investment of
technology in the form of technology license and services, signed by Party B and
Party A simultaneously with the signature of this Contract, and which shall be
ratified by the Board of Directors of the Joint Venture Company following its
establishment, pursuant to which Party B will license to the Joint Venture
Company the right to use the proprietary technology (including patented
technology), related documentation and operational know-how, and provide
technologically advanced management support and technical assistance for the
production of the Joint Venture Products, which contract is attached hereto as
Appendix 2.
Article 10
"Contract Term" means the term of this Contract as set forth in Chapter 19
including any extension thereof.
Article 11
"Effective Date" means the effective date of this Contract, which shall be the
date on which this Contract and the Articles of Association have been approved
by the Examination and Approval Authority.
Article 12
"Examination and Approval Authority" means the Ministry of Foreign Trade and
Economic Co-operation or other foreign trade and economic department with
authority to approve this Contract and the Articles of Association.
Article 13
"Export Sales Contract" means the contract for the Joint Venture Company's sale
of the Joint Venture Products to Party B, to be signed by the Parties
simultaneously with the signing of this Contract and to be ratified by the Joint
Venture Company's Board of Directors following its establishment, the form of
which contract is attached hereto as Appendix 3.
Article 14
"Joint Venture Company" means Baoding FengFan - Valence Battery Company, Ltd.,
the Sino-foreign equity joint venture limited liability company formed by Party
A and Party B pursuant to this Contract.
Article 15
"Joint Venture Products" means technologically advanced cells and batteries
including but NOT limited to: (1) Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells or
Batteries; (2) Bellcore(P1a) Cells or Batteries; (3) Bellcore(LCO) Cells or
Batteries; (4) Powder(LVP) and (5) Powder(P1a).
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Article 15A
"Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells or Batteries" means lithium vanadium
phosphate (LVP) cells and batteries in a cylindrical construction (i.e., a
non-stacked construction) which provides greater than five ampere-hours
(>5Amphrs) of electricity.
Article 16
"Management Personnel" means the Joint Venture Company's CEO, Deputy CEO, Chief
Financial Officer and other management personnel who report directly to the CEO.
Article 17
"Manufacturing Facility" means a facility located in the People's Republic of
China and operated by the Joint Venture Company wherein the Joint Venture
Products are manufactured.
Article 17A
"Powder(LVP)" means lithium vanadium phosphate cathode active material in a
powder form.
Article 17B
"Powder(P1a)" means lithium iron magnesium phosphate cathode active material in
a powder form.
Article 18
"Renminbi" or "RMB" means the lawful currency of China.
Article 19
"Site" means the location of the Joint Venture Company's production facility in
the Baoding National High Technology Industrial Development Zone, in Baoding
City, Hebei Province, the People's Republic of China.
Article 20
"Third Party" means any natural person, legal person or other organisation or
entity other than the Parties to this Contract or the Joint Venture Company
Article 21
"Three Funds" means the Joint Venture Company's reserve fund, expansion fund and
employee bonus and welfare fund as stipulated in the Joint Venture Regulations.
Article 22
"United States Dollars" or "US$" means the lawful currency of the United States
of America.
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Article 23
"Working Personnel" means all employees and staff of the Joint Venture Company
other than the Management Personnel.
CHAPTER 4 ESTABLISHMENT AND LEGAL FORM OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
Article 24
The Parties hereby agree to establish the Joint Venture Company in accordance
with the laws and regulations of the PRC.
Article 25
Name of Joint Venture Company in Chinese characters: "OMITTED".
Joint Venture Company in English: Baoding FengFan - Valence Battery Company,
Ltd.
Legal address of Joint Venture Company: Road, Baoding National High Technology
Industrial Development Zone, Baoding City, Hebei Province, the People's Republic
of China.
Article 26
The Joint Venture Company shall be an enterprise legal person under the laws of
China. The activities of the Joint Venture Company shall be governed by the
laws, decrees, rules and regulations of China, and its lawful rights and
interests shall be protected by the laws, decrees, rules and regulations of
China.
Article 27
The organization form of the Joint Venture Company is a limited liability
company. The liability of each Party to the Joint Venture Company shall be
limited to contributing the full amount of its share of the Joint Venture
Company's registered capital. Unless otherwise provided pursuant to a written
agreement signed by a Party and a creditor of the Joint Venture Company,
creditors of the Joint Venture Company and other claimants against the Joint
Venture Company shall have recourse only to the assets of the Joint Venture
Company and shall not have rights to seek compensation, damages or other
remedies from any of the Parties. Subject to the foregoing, the Parties shall
share the Joint Venture Company's profits, and bear the losses and risks arising
from their investments in the Joint Venture Company, in proportion to their
respective shares of the Joint Venture Company's registered capital.
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CHAPTER 5 THE PURPOSE, SCOPE AND SCALE OF PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS
Article 28
The purpose of the Joint Venture Company is to use advanced battery and process
technology and scientific management techniques to: (1) produce and sell the
Joint Venture Products; (2) to improve the quality and increase the value and
competitiveness of such Joint Venture Products; (3) to develop and introduce new
Joint Venture Products based on Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells,
Bellcore(P1a) Cells and Bellcore(LCO) Cells; and (4) to obtain satisfactory
economic benefits for the Parties.
Article 29
The Joint Venture Company's scope of business shall be: (1) the design,
manufacture, sale, and after-sales servicing of technologically advanced cells
and batteries, including but not limited to Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells,
Bellcore(P1a) Cells and Bellcore(LCO) Cells; and (2) the manufacture and sale of
technologically advanced Powder(P1a) and Powder(P1a) film and Powder(LVP).
Article 30
The goal is to produce up to two hundred twenty (220) metric tons (100,000,000
WHr) of Powder(P1a) per year; one hundred million watt hours (100,000,000 WHr)
of Powder(P1a) film per year; twenty five million watt hours (25,000,000 WHr) of
Bellcore(P1a) Cells or Bellcore(LCO) Cells per year; and up to one hundred
million watt hours (100,000,000 WHr) of Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells per
year. The Board of Directors will determine the Joint Venture Company's actual
production levels based on relevant market and operating conditions.
CHAPTER 6 TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND REGISTERED CAPITAL
Article 31
The Joint Venture Company's total amount of investment shall be Twenty-Nine
Million Nine Hundred Sixteen Thousand United States Dollars (US$29,916,000).
Article 32
The Joint Venture Company's registered capital shall be Twenty-Nine Million Nine
Hundred Sixteen Thousand United States Dollars (US$29,916,000).
Article 33
Party A's contribution to the registered capital of the Joint Venture Company
shall be Fourteen Million Six Hundred Fifty Nine Thousand United States Dollars
(US$14,659,000), representing a forty-nine percent (49%) share of the Joint
Venture Company's registered capital. Party B's contribution to the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company shall be Fifteen Million Two Hundred Fifty
Seven Thousand United States Dollars (US$15,257,000), representing a fifty-one
7
percent (51%) share of the Joint Venture Company's registered capital.
Party A's total contribution (US$14,659,000) to the registered capital shall be
invested as cash. according to the timeframe set forth in the Schedule of
Fengfan Contributions (Appendix 1 hereto) US$12,500,000 of this contribution
shall be used for the Joint Venture Company's initial purchase of equipment,
working capital, and operating expenses for approximately two years. Two Million
United States Dollars (US$2.000.000) of Party A's cash contribution shall also
be used by the Joint Venture Company to acquire the land use rights underlying
the Site and for the construction of the Manufacturing Facility in China. (If
the contribution is in RMB, it shall be converted using the median rate for
buying and selling for foreign currency announced by the People's Bank of China
on the date of investment).
Party B's total contribution (US$15,257,000) to the registered capital shall be
invested in equipment, in accordance with the Equipment Contribution Contract (
Appendix 4 hereto), which equipment the parties agree to be valued at Eight
Million Sixteen Thousand United States Dollars (US$8,016,000) and in the form of
a license for the use of technology in accordance with the Contract for
Technology Investment, which is attached hereto as Appendix 2, which the parties
agree to be valued at Seven Million Two Hundred Forty One Thousand United States
Dollars (US$7,241,000). If any part of the contribution is in RMB, the
investment shall be converted using the median rate for buying and selling for
foreign currency announced by the People's Bank of China on the date of
investment.
Article 34
The Joint Venture Company's registered capital shall be contributed according to
both Parties' proportion of investment. The detailed method, quantity and timing
of the contributions are shown in Appendix 1.
Article 35
No Party shall be obligated to make any contribution to the Joint Venture
Company's registered capital if any of the following conditions have not been
satisfied or waived in writing by both parties:
(1) This Contract and the Articles of Association have been signed by both
Parties, and approved by the Examination and Approval Authority
without altering their terms and conditions, unless each Party has
been notified in advance of and consented in writing to such
alterations ;
(2) The Business License has been issued without altering the Joint
Venture Company's business scope as set forth in Article 29, unless
each Party has been notified in advance of and consented in writing to
such alteration;
(3) Signature by the parties thereto of the Contract for Technology
Investment and the Export Sales Contract, the forms of which are
annexed to this Contract and, where required by law, approval or
registration of such contracts by the relevant government approval
authority without altering their terms and conditions, unless each
Party has been notified in advance of and consented in writing to such
alterations; and
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(4) The Parties have taken those steps necessary for the identification
and securing of an operating Site suitable for the JV Company's
purposes.
Article 36
Each time a Party makes a contribution to the Joint Venture Company's registered
capital, a Chinese registered accountant appointed by the Board of Directors
shall promptly verify the contribution and issue a capital verification report
to the Joint Venture Company. Within sixty (60) days from receipt of the capital
verification report, the Joint Venture Company shall issue an investment
certificate to such Party in the form prescribed by the Joint Venture
Regulations, signed by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Board and
chopped with the Joint Venture Company's chop. Each investment certificate shall
indicate the amount of the capital contribution and the date on which such
contribution was made, and a copy shall be submitted to the Examination and
Approval Authority for the record. The CEO shall maintain a file of all capital
verification reports and copies of all investment certificates that have been
issued to the Parties.
Article 37
Any increase in the registered capital of the Joint Venture Company shall
require the written consent of each Party and the unanimous approval of the
Board of Directors. All increases in registered capital must be approved by the
Examination and Approval Authority in accordance with relevant law.
Article 38
Other than as set forth in Article 122 hereto, neither party to this Contract
may transfer all or part of its interest in the registered capital of the Joint
Venture Company to a Third Party unless. Each Party agrees promptly to take all
actions and to sign all documents, and to cause its appointees on the Board of
Directors promptly to take all actions and sign all documents, that are legally
required to effect a transfer of registered capital for which the foregoing
consent has been obtained. Upon receipt of approval from the Examination and
Approval Authority, the Joint Venture Company shall register the change in
ownership with the competent Administration for Industry and Commerce.
Article 39
If there is a difference between the total amount of investment and the
registered capital or if the Joint Venture Company needs working capital, the
Joint Venture Company and, if entrusted by the Joint Venture Company, either
party to this Contract may negotiate to obtain loans from banks or other
authorized lenders. Such loans may be secured by the guarantee, mortgage and
pledge of the Joint Venture Company. Any loans provided by the parties to the
Joint Venture Company or any guarantees or securities provided by the parties to
secure loans to the Joint Venture Company shall only be provided by both parties
and shall be provided in proportion to each party's interest in the Joint
Venture Company.
Article 40
Neither Party shall mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber all or any part of
the Joint Venture Company's registered capital without the prior written consent
of the other Party. Party A hereby
9
agrees that, subject to Party B's compliance with relevant PRC laws and
regulations, Party B may pledge its interest in the Joint Venture to Berg & Berg
Enterprises, LLC., which is a major shareholder and creditor of Party B.
CHAPTER 7 RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY
Article 41
Responsibilities of Party A
In addition to its other obligations under this Contract, Party A shall have the
following responsibilities:
Handle all applications to the relevant Examination and Approval Authority in
China, register and obtain the Business License necessary for the establishment
of the Joint Venture Company. Party A shall provide Party B with copies of all
such approvals and licenses and all notices, letters and other correspondence
submitted to or received from the Examination and Approval Authority, the
competent Administration for Industry and Commerce and other Chinese government
departments in respect of the Company.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in processing the
application for the right to the use of a Site to the authority in charge
of the land.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in organizing the design
and construction of the premises, the Manufacturing Facility and other
facilities of the Joint Venture Company.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in processing import
customs declarations for the machinery and equipment which is purchased in
accordance with this Contract, and arranging the transportation of the same
within the Chinese territory.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in contacting providers and
arranging fundamental facilities such as water, electricity, transportation
etc.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in applying for all
licenses and permits required for the operation of the Joint Venture
Company's business.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in applying for all
possible preferential tax treatment and other preferential treatment.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in recruiting Chinese
management personnel, technical personnel, workers and other required
personnel.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in obtaining all necessary
entry visas, work permits, residence permits and other necessary help for
personnel working at the Joint Venture Company.
o Assist the Joint Venture Company, upon request, in obtaining and
maintaining a Foreign
10
Exchange Registration Certificate;
o Implementing its obligations, if any, stated in the Schedule of Fengfan
Capital Contributions, the Contract for Technology Investment, and the
Export Sales Contract, which documents are attached hereto as Appendices 1
to 3.
o Be responsible for handling other matters entrusted by the Joint Venture
Company.
Article 42
Responsibilities of Party B
In addition to its other obligations under this Contract, Party B shall have the
following responsibilities:
o Upon request by the Joint Venture Company, assist in the purchase of
equipment, machinery, tools and other materials entrusted by the Joint
Venture Company.
o Provide necessary technical personnel to the Joint Venture Company for
assisting with the use of lithium vanadium phosphate powder in the
manufacturing process for the Joint Venture Products.
o Train the management personnel, technical personnel and operation workers
of the Joint Venture Company in accordance with the provisions of the
Contract for Technology Investment.
o Implement its obligations stated in the Contract for Technology Investment
and the Export Sales Contract, which documents are attached hereto as
Appendices 2 and 3.
o Be responsible for handling other matters entrusted by the Joint Venture
Company.
CHAPTER 8 TECHNOLOGY
Article 43
Party A and Party B shall sign the Contract for Technology Investment
simultaneously with the signature of this Contract, and pursuant to the Contract
for Technology Investment shall license to the Joint Venture Company the right
to utilize proprietary technology (including patented technology), related
documentation and know-how for the production of the Joint Venture Products. The
form of the Contract for Technology Investment is attached hereto as Appendix 2.
The technology license fee of Seven Million Two Hundred Forty One Thousand
United States Dollars (US$7,241,000) shall be deemed to be paid by the Joint
Venture Company and shall constitute part of Party B's contribution to the
registered capital of the Joint Venture Company in accordance with Article 33 of
this Contract. The Contract for Technology Investment shall be signed by the
Parties simultaneously with the signing of this Joint Venture Contract and shall
come into effect upon its approval by the Examination and Approval Authority.
The Board of Directors shall
11
ratify the Contract for Technology Investment at the first meeting of the Board
of Directors.
Party B and the Joint Venture Company shall comply with the provisions of the
Contract for Technology Investment, and Party B further warrants that the
technology provided in accordance with the Contract for Technology Investment is
complete, correct, effective and can fulfil the technological goals set forth in
the Contract for Technology Investment recognizing that the development of the
Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells shall be the responsibility of the Joint
Venture Company.
Article 44
Party B will provide to the Joint Venture Company new inventions, creations and
technology related to the Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells or Batteries at no
additional charge. The Joint Venture Company may manufacture products using such
new inventions, creations and technology on the same terms as other cells or
batteries are manufactured, under the Contract for Technology Investment.
Article 45
Pursuant to the Contract for Technology Investment , Party B shall provide
technical services to the Joint Venture Company, which shall reimburse to Party
B the direct expenses incurred in China for those Party B personnel rendering
such services.
Article 46
The parties to this Contract agree that the technology, documentation and
know-how provided under the Contract for Technology Investment and the technical
services provided under the Contract for Technology Investment are provided for
the use of the Joint Venture Company. Party A hereby undertakes to Party B and
the Joint Venture Company that:
(1) Party A and its Affiliates shall not at any time during or after the
Contract Term use such technology and know-how except for the purpose
of marketing and selling Joint Venture Products;
(2) In respect of such technology and know-how, Party A and its Affiliates
shall comply with the confidentiality obligations set forth in Chapter
17 of this Contact; and
(3) Breach of this Article by Party A shall be deemed to be a material
breach of this Contract.
Article 47
At such time that the Joint Venture Company is capable of providing, sufficient
commercial quantities, cost-effective, high quality Joint Venture Products that
satisfies all technical and price range specifications identified by Party B in
writing, the Parties agree that the Joint Venture Company shall be appointed:
(1) the exclusive manufacturing source for any and all Large Format LVP
Cylindrical Cells.
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The Joint Venture Company shall retain its appointment as the
exclusive manufacturer of the Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells
provided that the Joint Venture Company is able to manufacture the
Large Format LVP Cylindrical Cells in the quantities at the price
levels, and within the time periods that will be agreed upon by Party
B and the Joint Venture Company during their annual reviews of the
Joint Venture Company's manufacturing and sale of the Large Format LVP
Cylindrical Cells;
(2) a manufacturing source in the PRC for Bellcore(LCO) Cells and
Bellcore(P1a) Cells; and
(3) a manufacturing source in the PRC for Powder(LVP) and Powder(P1a)
Article 48
Until such time that the Joint Venture Company is capable of providing,
sufficient commercial quantities, cost-effective, high quality Large Format LVP
Cylindrical Cells that satisfies all technical specifications identified by
Party B, the Parties agree that Party B shall have the right to purchase Large
Format LVP Cylindrical Cells or Batteries from a Third Party.
CHAPTER 9 SALE OF JOINT VENTURE PRODUCTS AND USE OF TRADEMARK
Article 49
The Joint Venture Company shall have the exclusive right to distribute the Joint
Venture Products in the PRC market and may entrust Third Parties to sell the
Joint Venture Products in the PRC market with approval from the Board of
Directors. The Joint Venture Company will sell the Joint Venture Products solely
to Party B for resale in the markets outside of the PRC and shall not otherwise
sell the Joint Venture Products to Third Parties outside of the PRC.
Article 50
It is the intention of the Parties that Powder(P1a) and Powder(LVP) shall only
be manufactured for use by the Joint Venture Company or sold to Party B or
approved Licensees of Party B.
Article 51
Each Party retains all ownership to its trademarks, service marks, logos, trade
names, and similar designations identified in Exhibit B of the Contract for
Technology Investment and any other such marks which such Party may from time to
time designate in writing, and the other Party and the Joint Venture Company
will neither register or use, directly or indirectly, any mark that is identical
or confusingly similar to Valence's marks or any translations or
transliterations thereof, anywhere in the world. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Joint Venture Company may register its own trademarks, service marks, logos
and trade names, and it may use the marks owned by a Party without compensation,
provided that the use is in accordance with terms of a written trademark license
contract signed with that Party.
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CHAPTER 10 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Article 52
The date of registration of the Joint Venture Company shall be the date of the
establishment of the board of directors of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 53
The Board of Directors shall comprise seven (7) directors, three (3) of whom
shall be appointed by Party A and four (4) of whom shall be appointed by Party
B. The chairman of the board shall be appointed by Party A, and its
vice-chairman by Party B.
Article 54
Directors shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, provided that the
Party who has appointed a director may remove that director and appoint a
replacement at any time. A director may serve consecutive terms if reappointed
by the Party that originally appointed him/her. If a seat on the Board of
Directors is vacated by the retirement, resignation, disability or death of a
director or by the removal of such director by the Party who originally
appointed him/her, the Party who originally appointed such director shall
appoint a successor to serve out such director's term. At the time this Contract
is signed and each time a director is appointed or replaced, each Party shall
notify the other Party in writing of the names of its appointees or
replacements.
Article 55
The Board of Directors shall be the highest authority of the Joint Venture
Company. It shall decide all matters of major importance to the Joint Venture
Company. The following matters shall require the unanimous assent of all the
directors:
o Amendment of the Articles of Association;
o Termination and dissolution of the Joint Venture Company;
o Merger of the Joint Venture Company with another organization;
o Major investment by the Joint Venture Company;
o Distribution of profit of the Joint Venture Company;
o The recruitment and dismissal of the Senior Management Personnel of the
Joint Venture Company;
o Transfer of a part or all of either Party's interest in the registered
capital of the Joint Venture Company;
o Increase and decrease of the Joint Venture Company's registered capital;
and
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o The examination and approval of the annual financial report of the Joint
Venture Company.
Article 56
Except for the matters stipulated in the above article, all other matters shall
be decided by the assent of a majority of the directors present in person or by
proxy at a duly convened meeting of the board of directors, provided however
that at least one member of the Board of Directors nominated by each Party
assents to such decision of the Board
If a vote on any resolution (other than resolutions requiring unanimous assent)
results in a failure to obtain an affirmative vote, then the directors promptly
shall endeavour to resolve the matter through further consultations. Any
director shall have the right to call a meeting for a second vote on the matter
after seven (7) days has elapsed from the first vote. If the second vote also
results in a failure to obtain an affirmative vote, then the Chairman and
Vice-Chairman of the Board shall jointly refer the matter to the highest
executive officer of each Party within seven (7) days from the second vote, and
they shall endeavour to agree on a resolution of the matter, which resolution
shall be binding upon the Board of Directors and the Joint Venture Company. If
the highest executive officers of each Party are unable to resolve the matter
within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the referral from the
Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board, the resolution shall be deemed not to
have been passed by the Board of Directors.
If the non-passage under this Article 56 of a resolution concerning management
or financial matters results in a material adverse effect on the economic
benefits derived by one or both Parties from their respective investments in the
Joint Venture Company, then a Party whose benefits are adversely and materially
affected may terminate this Contract.
Article 57
Party A shall designate a director to serve as Chairman of the Board and Party B
shall designate another director to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Board. The
Chairman of the Board shall be the legal representative of the Joint Venture
Company, but shall have only the authority delegated to him/her by the Board of
Directors, and no individual member of the Board of Directors shall
contractually or otherwise bind the Joint Venture Company without the prior
written authorization of the Board of Directors. The Party appointing the
Chairman of the Board shall be responsible for all losses and liabilities that
the Joint Venture Company may incur as a result of the Chairman of the Board
exceeding the scope of authority stipulated in this Contract. Whenever the
Chairman of the Board is unable to perform his responsibilities for any reason,
he shall authorise the Vice-Chairman of the Board to represent him. If the
Vice-Chairman is not available, the Chairman of the Board shall authorise
another director to represent him/her.
Article 58
The Joint Venture Company shall indemnify each director against all claims and
liabilities incurred by reason of his being a director of the Joint Venture
Company, provided that the director's acts or omissions giving rise to such
claim or liability did not constitute intentional misconduct or gross negligence
or a violation of criminal laws.
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Article 59
The first meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held within one (1) month
following the Company Establishment Date. Thereafter, the Board of Directors
shall hold at least one (1) regular meeting in each calendar year. Upon the
written request of two (2) or more of the directors of the Joint Venture Company
specifying the matters to be discussed, the Chairman of the Board shall within
thirty (30) days of receipt thereof convene an interim meeting of the Board of
Directors. Meetings shall be held at the registered address of the Joint Venture
Company or such other address in China or abroad as may be agreed by the
Chairman of the Board and the Vice-Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the
Board shall set the agenda for Board meetings after consultation with the
Vice-Chairman of the Board and the Chairman shall be responsible for convening
and presiding over such meetings. Board meetings may be attended by directors in
person or by telephone, video conference or by proxy.
Article 60
Five (5) directors present in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum for
all meetings of the Board of Directors. If at any properly convened meeting, no
quorum is constituted because less than five (5) directors are present in person
or by proxy, then the Chairman of the Board may call another meeting with seven
(7) days notice to each director. All directors receiving notice of such second
meeting shall be deemed to be present at such meeting.
Article 61
If a director is unable to attend a Board of Directors meeting, he may issue a
proxy and entrust a representative to attend the meeting on his behalf. The
representative so entrusted shall have the same rights and powers as the
director who entrusted him. One person may represent more than one director by
proxy.
Article 62
The Board of Directors will cause complete and accurate minutes (in both English
and Chinese) to be kept of all Board meetings. The Chinese and English text of
all resolutions to be adopted by the Board of Directors at Board meetings shall
be agreed by the directors at the Board meeting and recorded by the secretary
appointed for the meeting, and those members approving the resolutions shall
sign such records. Draft minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors shall
be distributed to all the directors as soon as practicable after each meeting
but not later than thirty (30) days from the date of such meeting. The final
minutes shall be completed by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman and distributed
to each director and each Party not later than sixty (60) days after the
relevant meeting. The Joint Venture Company shall maintain a file of all Board
meeting minutes and make the same freely available to the Parties and their
authorized representatives.
Article 63
The Board of Directors may adopt any resolution without a meeting if all of the
directors then holding office consent in writing to such action. Such written
consent may be signed by the directors in different counterparts, shall be filed
with the minutes of the Board of Directors proceedings and
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shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the directors
present at a duly constituted meeting of the Board.
Article 64
Directors shall serve without any remuneration, but all reasonable costs
incurred by the directors in attending Board meetings (including but not limited
to travel expenses) shall be borne by the Joint Venture Company.
CHAPTER 11 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION
Article 65
The Joint Venture Company shall establish a business management organization to
be in charge of the day-to-day operation and management of the Joint Venture
Company.
Article 66
The Joint Venture Company's business management organization shall be under the
leadership of a CEO, who shall report directly to the Board of Directors. In
addition to the CEO, the Joint Venture Company shall have a Deputy CEO, Chief
Financial Officer, Director of Sales, Director of Human Resources, Director of
Manufacturing, and Director of Research and Development (together with the CEO,
the "Senior Management Personnel").
Article 67
The CEO shall be nominated by Party B, and the Deputy CEO shall be nominated by
Party A. The Chief Financial Officer shall be nominated by Party A, and an
Assistant Financial Officer may be nominated by Party B. The Chief Financial
Officer must consult with the Assistant Financial Officer, if any, on all
important financial matters. The Chief Financial Officer and the Assistant
Financial Officer shall have free and unrestricted access to the financial
records and books of accounting of the Joint Venture Company. Each officer
nominated by a party or parties in accordance with this paragraph shall be
appointed by the Board of Directors. The other Management Personnel shall be
nominated by the CEO and appointed by the Board of Directors. The Board may
dismiss any Management Personnel. All replacements for any of the Management
Personnel, whether by reason of the retirement, resignation, disability or death
of a manager or of the removal of a manager by the Board of Directors or by the
Party which nominated him, shall be nominated and appointed in the same manner
as the original appointee. Other details of management shall be decided by the
CEO.
Article 68
The CEO shall be in charge of the day-to-day operation and management of the
Joint Venture Company and shall carry out all matters entrusted by the Board of
Directors. The Deputy CEO shall assist the CEO in his work and shall report to
the CEO.
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Article 69
The CEO, Deputy CEO and all other Management Personnel shall perform their
duties on a full-time basis and shall not concurrently serve as a manager, an
employee or a consultant of any other company or enterprise, nor shall they
serve as a director of, or hold any interest in, any company or enterprise that
competes with the Joint Venture Company.
Article 70
The Joint Venture Company's basic departmental structure and other management
positions reporting directly to the CEO shall be approved by the Board of
Directors based on proposals formulated by the CEO. The details of the Joint
Venture Company's organizational structure and all other employment positions
shall be determined by the CEO.
Article 71
Both Chinese and English shall be used concurrently as the management languages
of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 72
In case of graft or serious dereliction of duty on the part of the CEO, Deputy
CEO and other management personnel of the Joint Venture Company, the Board of
Directors shall have the power to dismiss such individuals at any time pursuant
to the provisions of relevant PRC law.
CHAPTER 12 SITE FOR JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
Article 73
Party A confirms that it will procure for use of the Joint Venture Company a
Site to be further identified and agreed by the Parties. The Site shall be in
the Baoding National High Technology Industrial Development Zone, shall have
granted land use rights and shall have utilities that may be directly connected
by the Joint Venture Company at the Site.
The Parties shall further agree on the size and standards of the building to be
constructed to meet the Joint Venture Company's operating needs.
CHAPTER 13 PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Article 74
The Joint Venture Company has the right to purchase equipment, machinery, raw
materials, etc.
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required for the Joint Venture Company's production and
operations. In its purchase of required equipment, instruments, raw materials,
fuel, parts, and means of transportation etc., the Joint Venture Company shall
give first priority to purchase of same in China where relevant purchase terms
conditions are the same or more favourable.
Article 75
The Joint Venture Company may entrust Party A or Party B to purchase the items
listed in the above article. Either Party so entrusted shall use its best
endeavours to accomplish the purpose of the entrustment. The price shall be fair
and reasonable. The Party so entrusted shall follow the internationally accepted
procedures to purchase materials when their quantity is large. The other Party
and the Joint Venture Company shall supervise the action of purchasing.
CHAPTER 14 LABOR MANAGEMENT
Article 76
Matters relating to the recruitment, wages, insurance, welfare, and dismissal of
the staff and workers of the Joint Venture Company shall be handled in
accordance with the Labor Law of the People's Republic of China and the
Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Labor Management in Foreign
Investment Enterprises and related PRC regulations. The Joint Venture Company's
internal labor policies shall be established pursuant to relevant PRC laws and
regulations, and approved by the Board of Directors.
Article 77
The Joint Venture Company shall adopt a labor contract system. The wages,
welfare, labor insurance and other rights and obligations of working personnel
and Management Personnel shall be regulated through individual or group labor
contracts.
Article 78
Expatriate management personnel and Chinese management personnel in the same
position shall receive equivalent salary and benefits.
Article 79
Employees will be selected according to their professional qualifications,
language abilities, individual characteristics and working experience. The
specific number and qualifications of the Working Personnel shall be determined
by the CEO in accordance with the operating needs of the Joint Venture Company.
All employees hired by the Joint Venture Company must complete satisfactorily a
six-month probationary period of employment before they will be considered
regular employees of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 80
Except as provided in Article 78, expatriate personnel and Chinese personnel in
the same position
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shall be treated equally and without discrimination.
Article 81
Working Personnel shall have the right to establish a labor union in accordance
with the Labor Union Law of the People's Republic of China and develop
activities pursuant to related regulations. In accordance with relevant PRC
regulations, the Joint Venture Company shall allot each month two percent (2%)
of the total amount of the real wages received by the Joint Venture Company
staff and workers for payment into a labor union fund, such payment to be an
expense of the Joint Venture Company. The labor union may use these funds in
accordance with the relevant control measures for labor union funds formulated
by the All China Federation of Labor Unions.
CHAPTER 15 FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND ACCOUNTING
Article 82
The Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Financial Officer of the Joint Venture
Company, under the leadership of the CEO, shall be responsible for the financial
management of the Joint Venture Company. The CEO, the Chief Financial Officer
and Assistant Financial Officer shall prepare the Joint Venture Company's
accounting system and procedures in accordance with the relevant PRC laws and
regulations, and submit the same to the Board of Directors for adoption.
Article 83
The Joint Venture Company shall adopt Renminbi as its bookkeeping base currency,
but may also adopt United States Dollars or other foreign currencies as
supplementary bookkeeping currencies. The debit and credit method, as well as
the accrual basis of accounting, shall be adopted as the methods and principles
for keeping accounts.
Article 84
The Joint Venture Company shall adopt the calendar year as its fiscal year. The
Joint Venture Company's first fiscal year shall commence on the date that the
Joint Venture Company receives a business license and shall end on the
immediately succeeding December 31.
Article 85
All accounting records, vouchers, books and statements of the Joint Venture
Company must be made and kept in Chinese. All financial statements and reports
of the Joint Venture Company shall also be made and kept in English.
Article 86
For the purpose of preparing the Joint Venture Company's accounts and
statements, calculation of profits to be distributed to the Parties, and for any
other purposes where it may be necessary to effect a currency conversion, such
conversion shall be made using the median rate for buying and selling for such
currency announced by the People's Bank of China on the date of actual receipt
or payment
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by the Joint Venture Company.
Article 87
The Parties shall have full and equal access to the Joint Venture Company's
accounts, which shall be kept at the legal address of the Joint Venture Company.
In addition, each Party at its own expense and upon advance notice to the Joint
Venture Company may appoint an accountant (which may be either an accountant
registered abroad or registered in China), to audit the accounts of the Joint
Venture Company on behalf of such Party. Reasonable access to the Joint Venture
Company's financial records shall be given to such auditor and such auditor
shall keep confidential all documents under his auditing.
Article 88
The Joint Venture Company shall furnish to the Parties unaudited financial
reports on a monthly and quarterly basis so that they may continuously be
informed about the Joint Venture Company's financial performance.
Article 89
An accountant registered in China and independent of any Party shall be engaged
by and at the expense of the Joint Venture Company as its auditor to examine and
verify the Joint Venture Company's annual financial statements and report. The
Joint Venture Company shall submit to the Parties an annual statement of final
accounts (including the audited profit and loss statement and the balance sheet
for the fiscal year) after the end of the fiscal year, together with the audit
report of the Chinese registered accountant.
Article 90
The Joint Venture Company shall separately open foreign exchange accounts and
Renminbi accounts at banks within China approved by the State Administration of
Exchange Control. Following approval by the State Administration of Exchange
Control, the Joint Venture Company may also open foreign exchange bank accounts
outside China. The Joint Venture Company shall apply for and maintain a Foreign
Exchange Registration Certificate in accordance with applicable legal
requirements. The Joint Venture Company shall abide by the regulations of the
PRC concerning foreign exchange control and handle foreign exchange transaction
pursuant to such regulations.
Article 91
After the payment of income taxes by the Joint Venture Company, the Board of
Directors will determine the annual allocations to each of the Three Funds from
the after-tax net profits. The sum of the allocations to the Three Funds for any
fiscal year shall be determined by the Board and shall not exceed ten percent
(10%) of the after-tax profit for that year so as to ensure the Joint Venture
Company's continued operation.
Article 92
The distribution of the Joint Venture Company's after-tax profits to the Parties
shall be carried out
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according to related laws and the Joint Venture Company's actual conditions. The
Board of Directors shall once every year by a formally adopted resolution decide
the amount of after-tax profit of the Joint Venture Company (after allocations
to the Three Funds) to be retained in the Joint Venture Company for expanding
its production and operations and the amount to be distributed to the Parties in
proportion to their respective shares of the Joint Venture Company's registered
capital. All remittances of profits and other payments out of China to Party B
shall be made to a foreign bank account designated by Party B in United States
Dollars or other freely convertible foreign currencies in accordance with the
foreign exchange regulations of China.
CHAPTER 16 TAXATION AND INSURANCE
Article 93
The Joint Venture Company shall pay all taxes and duties required under the
national and local laws and regulations of China. The Joint Venture Company's
Chinese and expatriate personnel shall pay individual income tax in accordance
with the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 94
The Joint Venture Company, at its own expense, shall take out and maintain at
all times during the Contract Term with insurance companies insurance against
loss or damage by fire, natural disasters and other risks of types and in
amounts as may be recommended by the CEO and decided by the Board of Directors.
The property, transport and other items of insurance of the Joint Venture
Company will be denominated in Chinese and foreign currencies, as appropriate.
Article 95
The Joint Venture Company shall take out the required insurance from an
insurance company or organization permitted by Chinese laws and regulations to
provide such insurance.
CHAPTER 17 CONFIDENTIALITY
Article 96
Prior to and during the Contract Term, each Party has disclosed or may disclose
to the other Party, including without limitation through technology transfer or
license agreements, confidential and proprietary information and materials
concerning their respective businesses, financial condition, proprietary
technology, research and development, and other confidential matters.
Furthermore, during the Contract Term, the Parties may obtain such confidential
and proprietary information concerning the Joint Venture Company and the Joint
Venture Company may obtain such confidential and proprietary information of the
Parties. Each of the Parties and the Joint Venture Company receiving all such
information as aforesaid (hereinafter referred to "Confidential Information")
shall, during the Contract Term, or during the term of the Joint Venture Company
and for two (2) years after the early termination or dissolution of the Joint
Venture Company prior to the expiration of the
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Contract Term:
(1) Maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information; and
(2) Not disclose it to any person or entity, except to their respective
employees who need to know such Confidential Information to perform
their work responsibilities.
The above provisions shall not apply to Confidential Information that:
(1) Can be proved to have been known by the receiving party by written
records made prior to disclosure by the disclosing party;
(2) Is or becomes public knowledge otherwise than through the receiving
party's breach of this Contract;
(3) Was obtained by the receiving party from a Third Party having no
obligation of confidentiality with respect to such Confidential
Information; or
(4) Is required by order of any competent court or governmental authority
to be disclosed.
Each Party shall advise its directors, senior staff, and other employees
receiving such Confidential Information of the existence of and the importance
of complying with the obligations set forth in this Article.
Article 97
If required by any Party, the Joint Venture Company shall execute a separate
secrecy agreement with provisions similar to those set out above with respect to
Confidential Information obtained by the Joint Venture Company from such Party
or its Affiliates.
Article 98
Each of the Parties and the Joint Venture Company shall formulate rules and
regulations to cause its directors, senior staff and other employees, and those
of their Affiliates, also to comply with the confidentiality obligations set
forth in this Chapter 17. All directors, managers and other employees of the
Joint Venture Company shall be required to sign a confidentiality undertaking in
a form acceptable to all Parties.
Article 99
If any Party or the Joint Venture Company breaches the provisions of this
Chapter 17, it shall be liable for damages accrued to the other Party or the
Joint Venture Company as a result of such breach. The payment of damages shall
be without prejudice to any other rights or remedies accrued at the date of such
breach.
Article 100
This Chapter 17 and the obligations and benefits hereunder shall survive the
expiration or early termination of this Contract and shall remain in effect for
the periods
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stated herein, notwithstanding the dissolution or liquidation of the Joint
Venture Company.
CHAPTER 18 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE
Article 101
Party B warrants that to the best of its knowledge the Joint Venture Products
that are properly manufactured pursuant to the terms of the Contract for
Technology Investment and other written instructions from Party B shall comply
with those relevant PRC environmental laws and regulations existing and in
effect as of the date of the Parties' signature of this Contract.
Article 102
Following the establishment of the Joint Venture Company, if PRC environmental
laws and regulations are amended such that the rights or interests of the Joint
Venture Company or either Party's interest therein are affected, then the
Parties shall discuss in good faith regarding a suitable approach to address
such regulatory change, consistent with Article 120 hereto.
CHAPTER 19 CONTRACT TERM
Article 103
The Contract Term shall extend for a period of fifty (50) years. The date that
the Business License is issued is the Establishment Date of the Joint Venture
Company. Upon the agreement of all Parties and the unanimous consent of the
Board of Directors, an application to extend the Contract Term may be made to
the Examination and Approval Authority no less than six (6) months prior to the
expiration of the Contract Term.
CHAPTER 20 TERMINATION AND LIQUIDATION
Article 104
Each Party shall have the right to terminate this Contract prior to the
expiration of the Contract Term by written notice to the other Party if any of
the following events occur:
(1) In the event that either Party fails to make its capital contribution,
in whole or in part, within ninety (90) days of the due date, or in
the event that any of the conditions precedent set forth in Article 35
of this Contract have not been satisfied or waived within one hundred
twenty (120) days of the date on which this Contract is signed by the
Parties;
(2) The other Party materially breaches this Contract or materially
violates the Articles of Association, and such breach or violation is
not cured within sixty (60) days of written
24
notice to the breaching/violating Party;
(3) The Joint Venture Company or the other Party becomes bankrupt, or is
the subject of proceedings for liquidation or dissolution, or ceases
to carry on business, or becomes unable to pay its debts as they come
due;
(4) The other Party transfers all or any part of its share of the Joint
Venture Company's registered capital in violation of the provisions of
this Contract;
(5) Any government authority having authority over any Party requires any
provision of this Contract or the Articles of Association to be
revised in such a way as to cause significant adverse consequences to
the Joint Venture Company or any Party;
(6) The conditions or consequences of Force Majeure prevail with the
result of a major impairment to the functioning of the Joint Venture
Company for a period in excess of six (6) months and the Parties have
been unable to find an equitable solution; or
(7) The Parties cannot implement the economic adjustment described in
Article 120.
Article 105
If any Party gives notice to terminate this Contract pursuant to Article 104,
the Parties shall endeavour to resolve the problem through negotiation and
agreement. If, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such notice, the Parties
have not agreed in writing to continue this Contract, then each Party and the
directors appointed by each Party shall be deemed to have agreed to terminate
this Contract and dissolve the Joint Venture Company. An application for the
same shall forthwith be submitted to the Examination and Approval Authority.
Article 106
Following an application to dissolve the Joint Venture Company pursuant to
Article 105, the Board of Directors shall forthwith appoint a liquidation
committee which shall have the power to represent the Joint Venture Company in
all legal matters. The liquidation committee shall value and liquidate the Joint
Venture Company's assets in accordance with the applicable Chinese laws and
regulations and the principles set forth herein.
Article 107
The liquidation committee shall be made up of three (3) members, of whom one (1)
member shall be nominated by Party A and two (2) members shall be nominated by
Party B. Members of the liquidation committee may, but need not be, directors or
senior employees of the Joint Venture Company. The liquidation committee may
engage a lawyer and an accountant registered in China to assist the liquidation
committee. When permitted by Chinese law, any Party may also appoint
professional advisors to assist the liquidation committee. The Board of
Directors shall report the formation of the liquidation committee to the
department in charge of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 108
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The liquidation committee shall conduct a thorough examination of the Joint
Venture Company's assets and liabilities, on the basis of which it shall develop
a liquidation plan, which, if approved by the Board of Directors, shall be
executed under the liquidation committee's supervision.
Article 109
Upon liquidation, the Party which originally contributed or sold (directly or
indirectly) assets to the Joint Venture Company, including but not limited to
technology assets that were contributed to the Joint Venture Company through
license, shall have a priority right to purchase such assets if the price
offered by such Party is not less favourable than other offers received by the
Joint Venture Company.
Article 110
In developing and executing the liquidation plan, the liquidation committee
shall use every effort to obtain the highest possible price for the Joint
Venture Company's assets and, subject to compliance with PRC foreign exchange
control regulations, sell such assets for United States Dollars or other freely
convertible foreign currencies.
Article 111
The liquidation expenses, including remuneration to members and the lawyers and
accountants assisting the liquidation committee, shall be paid out of the Joint
Venture Company's assets in priority to the claims of other creditors.
Article 112
After the liquidation and division of the Joint Venture Company's assets and the
settlement of all of its outstanding debts, the balance shall be paid over to
the Parties in proportion to their respective shares of the registered capital
of the Joint Venture Company.
Article 113
On completion of all liquidation work, the liquidation committee shall provide a
liquidation completion report approved by the Board of Directors to the
Examination and Approval Authority, hand in the Joint Venture Company's business
license to the original registration authority and complete all other
formalities for nullifying the Joint Venture Company's registration. Party B
shall have a right to obtain copies of all of the Joint Venture Company's
accounting books and other documents at their own expense but the originals
thereof shall be left in the care of Party A.
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CHAPTER 21 BREACH OF CONTRACT
Article 114
In the event that a breach of contract committed by a Party to this Contract
results in the non- performance of or inability to perform this Contract or its
appendices fully, the liabilities arising from the breach of this contract or
its Appendices shall be borne by the Party in breach. In the event that a breach
of contract is committed by more than one Party, each such Party shall bear its
individual share of the liabilities arising from the breach of contract.
CHAPTER 22 FORCE MAJEURE
Article 115
"Force Majeure" shall mean all events which were unforeseeable at the time this
Contract was signed, the occurrence and consequences of which cannot be avoided
or overcome, and which arise after the Effective Date and prevent total or
partial performance by any Party./ Such events shall include earthquakes,
typhoons, flood, fire, war and any other instances which cannot be foreseen,
avoided or overcome, including instances which are accepted as force majeure in
general international commercial practice.
Article 116
If an event of Force Majeure occurs, a Party's obligations under this Contract
affected by such an event shall be suspended during the period of delay caused
by the Force Majeure and shall be automatically extended, without penalty, for a
period equal to such suspension. The Party claiming Force Majeure shall promptly
inform the other Party in writing and shall furnish within fifteen (15) days
thereafter sufficient evidence of the occurrence and duration of such Force
Majeure. The Party claiming Force Majeure shall also use all reasonable
endeavours to terminate the Force Majeure. In the event of Force Majeure, the
Parties shall immediately consult with each other in order to find an equitable
solution and shall use all reasonable endeavours to minimize the consequences of
such Force Majeure.
CHAPTER 23 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
Article 117
In the event a dispute arises in connection with the interpretation or
implementation of this Contract, the Parties shall attempt in the first instance
to resolve such dispute through friendly consultations. If the dispute is not
resolved through consultations within sixty (60) days after one Party has served
a written notice on the other Party requesting the commencement of
consultations, then any Party may refer the dispute to arbitration in Singapore
under the auspices of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre in
accordance with the rules of that Centre for the time being in force and the
provisions of Article 118 of this Contract.
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Article 118
There shall be three (3) arbitrators, one (1) of whom shall be appointed by
Party A, one (1) of whom shall be appointed by Party B, and one (1) of whom
shall be appointed by the arbitration tribunal. The arbitration award shall be
final and binding on the Parties. When any dispute occurs and when any dispute
is under arbitration, except for the matters under dispute, the Parties shall
continue to exercise their other respective rights and fulfil their other
respective obligations under this Contract. In any arbitration proceeding, any
legal proceeding to enforce any arbitration award and in any legal action
between the Parties pursuant to or relating to this Contract, each Party
expressly waives the defence of sovereign immunity and any other defence based
on the fact or allegation that it is an agency or instrumentality of a sovereign
state.
CHAPTER 24 APPLICABLE LAW
Article 119
The formation, validity, interpretation and implementation of this Contract, and
any disputes arising under this Contract, shall be governed by the published
laws of the People's Republic of China. If there is no published law in China
governing a particular matter relating to this Contract, reference shall be made
to general international commercial practices.
Article 120
If one Party's economic benefits are adversely and materially affected by the
promulgation of any new laws, rules or regulations of China or the amendment or
interpretation of any existing laws, rules or regulations of China after the
Effective Date of this Contract, the Parties shall promptly consult with each
other and use their best endeavours to implement any adjustments necessary to
maintain each Party's economic benefits derived from this Contract on a basis no
less favourable than the economic benefits it would have derived if such laws,
rules or regulations had not been promulgated or amended or so interpreted. If
it is not possible to implement such adjustments, a Party may terminate this
Contract pursuant to Chapter 20 of this Contract.
CHAPTER 25 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Article 121
To the extent permitted by Chinese law, failure or delay on the part of any
Party hereto to exercise a right under this Contract and the Appendices hereto
shall not operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise
of a right preclude any other future exercise thereof.
Article 122
Except as otherwise provided herein, this Contract may not be assigned in whole
or in part by either Party without the prior written consent of the other Party
and the approval of the Examination and Approval Authority. Party A hereby
agrees that, subject to the approval of the Examination and Approval Authority
and subject to compliance with relevant PRC laws and regulations, Party B may
assign its interest but not its obligations in the Articles of Association, the
Joint Venture Contract, its
28
Appendices, and the Joint Venture Company to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Party
B, within two (2) years following issuance of the JV Company's Business License.
Party A shall provide such support or cooperation that is reasonably required
for Party B's completion of such assignment, including but not limited to
signature of documents required to complete the assignment, and liaising with
relevant PRC authorities to gain approval for such assignment.
Article 123
This Contract is made for the benefit of Party A and Party B and their
respective lawful successors and assignees and is legally binding on them. This
Contract may not be amended orally, and any amendment hereto must be agreed to
in a written instrument signed by all of the Parties and approved by the
Examination and Approval Authority before taking effect.
Article 124
Subject to the provisions of Article 120 hereof, the invalidity of any provision
of this Contract shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this
Contract.
Article 125
This Contract is written and signed in the Chinese language in six (6) originals
and in the English language in six (6) originals. Both language versions shall
be equally valid and in the event of any discrepancy between the two versions,
the wording in dispute shall be interpreted in accordance with the purpose of
this Contract.
Article 126
This Contract and the Appendices hereto constitute the entire agreement between
the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this Contract and supersede
all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements between them with respect to
the subject matter of this Contract. In the event of any conflict between the
terms and provisions of this Contract and the Articles of Association, the terms
and provisions of this Contract shall prevail.
Article 127
This Contract shall take effect after it is approved by the Examination and
Approval Authority.
Article 128
Any notice or written communication provided for in this Contract from one Party
to the other Party or to the Joint Venture Company shall be made in writing in
Chinese and English and may be sent telegram, telex, e-mail or facsimile
transmission, or by courier service delivered letter or by post. Any
communication sent by facsimile transmission or e-mail shall be confirmed by
courier service delivered letter or by post. The date of receipt of a notice or
communication hereunder shall be deemed to be fourteen (14) days after the
letter is given to the courier service or postal service, or one (1) working day
after sending in the case of facsimile or e-mail, provided it is evidenced by a
29
confirmation receipt and the confirmation letter is sent by courier delivered
letter or post. All notices and communications shall be sent to the appropriate
address set forth below, until the same is changed by notice given in writing to
the other Party.
PARTY A:
Baoding Fengfan Group Limited Liability Company
8 Fu Chang Road,
Baoding City, Hebei Province,
People's Republic of China
Facsimile No: (0312) 3236562
Telephone No: (0312) 322 5931
E-mail: --------------
Representative: Chen Mengli
PARTY B:
Valence Technology, Inc.
301 Conestoga Way
Henderson Nevada 89015
U.S.A.
Facsimile No: (702) 558-1310
Telephone No: (702) 558-1073
Attention: General Counsel
E-mail: --------------
THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY:
Baoding Fengfan-Valence Battery Company, Ltd.
Baoding National High Technology Industrial Development Zone,
Baoding City, Hebei Province
People's Republic of China
Attention: CEO
E-mail:
Article 129
The Appendices hereto listed below are made an integral part of this Contract
and are equally binding
30
with the provisions of this Contract:
Appendix 1 Schedule of Fengfan's Capital Contributions
Appendix 2 Contract for Technology Investment
Appendix 3 Export Sales Contract
Appendix 4 Equipment Contribution Contract
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representative of each Party has signed
this Contract in Baoding, People's Republic of China on July 8, 2003.
[Download Table]
FENGFAN GROUP LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
By: /s/ [Chinese Characters] By: /s/ Terry Standefer
----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Name: Chen Mengli Name: Terry Standefer
Title: Chairman and President Title: Vice President Worldwide Operations
Nationality: Chinese Nationality: United States of America
31
Dates Referenced Herein and Documents Incorporated by Reference
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