UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of May 2025
Commission File Number: 001-39111
XChange TEC.INC
(Registrant’s Name)
No.801, Building 1, 1136 Xinzha Road
JingAn District, Shanghai, 200041
People’s Republic of China
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This report on Form 6-K, including the exhibits hereof, is hereby incorporated by reference into the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2021 (Registration No. 333-258187) and shall be a part thereof from the date on which this current report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT
As previously disclosed, on April 23, 2025, XChange TEC.INC (the “Company”), MMTEC, Inc. (“MMTEC”), a holder of certain Secured Promissory Note dated December 28, 2023 issued by the Company in the original principal amount of US$153,000,000 (the “Original Note”), and Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd. (“Infinity Asset”), entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Infinity Asset purchased from MMTEC, a portion of the Original Note representing US$51,988,242 of the total US$153,738,529 of the unpaid principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the Original Note. The portion of the Original Note purchased by Infinity Asset is hereinafter referred to as the “Note.”
On May 9, 2025, the Company and Infinity Asset entered into a share subscription agreement and a payoff letter (collectively, the “Conversion Documents”), pursuant to which, the Company agreed to issue to Infinity Asset and Infinity Asset agreed to subscribe from the Company, 108,027,515,844 Class A ordinary shares, par value US$0.0000001 per share, of the Company (the “Converted Shares”), as the repayment by the Company to Infinity Asset of all outstanding principal amount and accrued interest under the Note with a total amount of US$51,988,242. On the same date, the Company consummated the issuance of the Converted Shares. The Converted Shares were issued in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
On May 9, 2025, the Company adopted an equity incentive plan (the “2025 Equity Incentive Plan”) and issued thereunder 11,800,000,000 Class B ordinary shares, par value US$0.0000001 per share, of the Company (the “Reserved Shares”) to Golden Stream Ltd., a limited liability company incorporated in Cayman Islands (the “ESOP Platform”). The ESOP Platform will hold the Reserved Shares (i) before any granting or vesting to the participants of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Participants”), and (ii) after any vesting to the Participants, on behalf of the Participants pursuant to the respective share award agreements. The Reserved Shares were issued in reliance upon the exemption from securities registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Following the issuance of the Converted Shares and Reserved Shares, as of the date hereof, the Company has a total of 111,851,094,785 Class A ordinary shares and 11,863,927,890 Class B ordinary shares issued and outstanding.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number | Description of Document | |
99.1 | Share Subscription Agreement dated May 9, 2025 | |
99.2 | Payoff Letter dated May 9, 2025 | |
99.3 | 2025 Equity Incentive Plan |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
XChange TEC.INC | ||
By: | /s/ Zhichen Sun | |
Name: | Zhichen Sun | |
Title: | Chairman of the Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer |
Date: May 12, 2025
Exhibit 99.1
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT(this “Agreement”), dated as of May 9, 2025, is entered into by and between:
(1) XChange TEC.INC, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and listed on NASDAQ under ticker symbol of XHG (the “Company”); and
(2) Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd., a company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “Subscriber”).
The Subscriber and the Company are sometimes each referred to herein as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.”
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, a US$50,000,000 secured promissory note agreement , dated April 23, 2025 (as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Note Agreement”), was entered into between the Company as maker and the Subscriber as holder. As at the date of this Agreement, the outstanding amount (including the outstanding principal and any accrued but unpaid interest) owed by the Company to the Subscriber pursuant to the Note Agreement is US$51,988,242 (the “Outstanding Amount”).
WHEREAS, upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Subscriber, and the Subscriber wishes to subscribe from the Company, Class A ordinary shares, US$0.0000001 par value per share (“Class A Ordinary Shares”) of the Company, in a private placement exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Regulation S” and “Securities Act,” respectively);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE
Section 1.1. Issuance, Sale and Subscription of Ordinary Shares. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below), the Subscriber agrees to subscribe, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to the Subscriber, such number of Class A Ordinary Shares for a subscription price of US$0.00048125 per Class A Ordinary Share(the “Subscription Price”) with a total consideration of US$51,988,242 for the Subscription (the “Consideration”), being the Outstanding Amount owed by the Company to the Subscriber pursuant to the Note Agreement as at the Closing Date, free and clear of all liens or Encumbrances as defined below (except for restrictions arising under the Securities Act or created by virtue of this Agreement) (the “Subscription”). The number of Class A Ordinary Shares to be issued to and subscribed by the Subscriber shall be determined by dividing the Outstanding Amount by the Subscription Price (as defined below) as of the time of the Closing Date, and is as set out in Section 1.3 (Closing) of this Agreement. Fraction of Class A Ordinary Shares will not be issued and no cash adjustment will be made in respect thereof. The Class A Ordinary Shares issued to the Subscriber pursuant to this Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “Subscription Shares.”
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Section 1.2. Set off of Outstanding Amount with the Consideration. The Parties hereby agree that the payment of Consideration by the Subscriber will be set off by the repayment of the Outstanding Amount by the Company. The Parties further agree that no cash payment will be made to the Company by the Subscriber upon the Closing (as defined below) and that upon the Closing and cancellation of the Note Agreement, the Company will be deemed to have repaid all Outstanding Amount.
Section 1.3. Closing.
(a) Closing. Subject to Section 1.5, the closing (the “Closing”) of the Subscription shall take place remotely via the electronic exchange of the closing documents and signatures (followed by prompt delivery of the originals therefor) on May 9, 2025 or such other time as the Parties may mutually agree upon. The date and time of the Closing are referred to herein as the “Closing Date.” The Company and the Subscriber agreed that the following table sets forth the Outstanding Amount and the number of Class A Ordinary Shares that will be issued and subscribed at Closing.
Closing Date | Outstanding Amount | Number of Class A Ordinary Shares to be subscribed by the Subscriber | ||||||
May 9, 2025 | US$ | 51,988,242 | 108,027,515,844 |
Section 1.4. Set off and Delivery.
(a) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver a certified true copy of the updated register of members of the Company, evidencing that the Subscription Shares have been issued and registered in the name of the Subscriber.
(b) Restrictive Legend. Each certificate representing the Subscription Shares, if any such certificate is issued, shall be endorsed with the following legend:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (AS AMENDED, THE “ACT”) OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED, SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE: IN THE ABSENCE OF (1) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT, OR (2) AN EXEMPTION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, INCLUDING THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT. ANY ATTEMPT TO TRANSFER OR SELL THIS SECURITY IN VIOLATION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS SHALL BE VOID.
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Section 1.5. Closing Conditions.
(a) Conditions to the Company’s Obligations to Effect the Closing. The obligation of the Company to issue and sell the Subscription Shares to the Subscriber as contemplated by this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Company in its sole discretion:
(i) Each of the payoff letter, in the form agreed by the Parties, has been duly executed by the Subscriber in favor of, and delivered to, the Company.
(ii) All actions required to be taken by the Subscriber in connection with the subscription of the Subscription Shares hereunder shall have been completed.
(iii) The representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained in Section 2.1 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and true and correct on and as of the Closing Date; and the Subscriber shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respect under any, agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date.
(b) Conditions to the Subscriber’s Obligations to Effect the Closing. The obligation of the Subscriber to subscribe and pay for the Subscription Shares as contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Subscriber in its sole discretion:
(i) All corporate and other actions required to be taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Subscription Shares shall have been completed.
(ii) The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2.2 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and true and correct on and as of the Closing Date; and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respects under any, agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date.
ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 2.1. Representations and Warranties of the Subscriber. The Subscriber hereby represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
(a) Due Incorporation. The Subscriber is a company duly incorporated as a BVI company with limited liability, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands.
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(b) Authority. The Subscriber has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and any of the agreement, certificate, document and instrument otherwise required in connection with implementing the transactions and actions contemplated in this Agreement (together, the “Transaction Documents”) and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Subscriber of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the performance by the Subscriber of its obligations hereunder and thereunder have all been duly authorized by all requisite actions on the Subscriber’s part.
(c) Valid Agreement. This Agreement has been and, upon its execution each of the other Transaction Documents shall have been, duly executed and delivered by the Subscriber, and each of the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, upon execution, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Subscriber, enforceable against him in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
(d) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Subscriber or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Subscriber 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 agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Subscriber is a party or by which the Subscriber is bound or to which any of the Subscriber’s assets are subject. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Subscriber that questions the validity of the Transaction Documents or the right of the Subscriber to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(e) Consents and Approvals. Neither the execution and delivery by the Subscriber of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, nor the consummation by the Subscriber of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the performance by the Subscriber of any of this Agreement or the Transaction Documents in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving of notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.
(f) Status and Investment Intent.
(i) Experience. The Subscriber has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Subscription Shares. The Subscriber is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment, including a complete loss of its investment. The Subscriber has conducted its own investigation of the Company and the Subscription Shares. The Subscriber has had access to, and an adequate opportunity to review, financial and other information as it deems necessary to make our decision to subscribe the Subscription Shares. The Subscriber has been offered the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and received answers thereto, as it deemed necessary in connection with its decision to subscribe the Subscription Shares.
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(ii) Information. The Subscriber acknowledges that (i) the Company currently may have, and later may come into possession of, information regarding the Company that is not known to it and that may be material to a decision to enter into this transaction to subscribe the Subscription Shares (“Excluded Information”), (ii) it has determined to enter into this transaction to subscribe the Securities notwithstanding its lack of knowledge of the Excluded Information, and (iii) neither the Company shall have liability to it, and it hereby to the extent permitted by law waives and releases any claims we may have against the Company, with respect to the nondisclosure of the Excluded Information. The Subscriber has consulted to the extent deemed appropriate by the Subscriber with the Subscriber’s own advisers as to the financial, tax, legal and related matters concerning an investment in the Subscription Shares. The Subscriber has made its own assessment and have satisfied itself concerning the relevant tax and other economic considerations relevant to its investment in the Subscription Shares.
(iii) Subscription Entirely for Own Account. The Subscriber is acquiring the Subscription Shares that it is purchasing pursuant to this Agreement for its own account for investment purposes only. The Subscriber does not have any direct or indirect arrangement, or understanding with any other persons to distribute, or regarding the distribution of the Subscription Shares in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable state securities law. The Subscriber certifies that the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
(iv) Solicitation. The Subscriber was not identified or contacted through the marketing of the Subscription Shares. The Subscriber did not learn of the investment in the Subscription Shares as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or directed selling efforts (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act).
(v) Not U.S. Person. The Subscriber is not a “U.S. person” as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S.
(vi) Offshore Transaction. The Subscriber has been advised and acknowledges that in issuing the Subscription Shares to the Subscriber pursuant hereto, the Company is relying upon the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S. The Subscriber is acquiring the Subscription Shares in an offshore transaction (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S.
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Section 2.2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Subscriber, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:
(a) Due Formation. The Company is a company duly incorporated as an exempted company with limited liability, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Company has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted. Each Subsidiary (as defined below) has been duly organized, is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite corporate power and authorization to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted.
(b) Authority. The Company has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder have all been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.
(c) Valid Agreement. This Agreement has been and, upon its execution each of the other Transaction Documents shall have been, duly executed and delivered by the Company, and each of the Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, upon execution, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
(d) Capitalization. All outstanding shares of the share capital of the Company and all outstanding shares of capital stock of each of the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities (each a “Subsidiary” and collectively “Subsidiaries”) have been issued and granted in compliance with (x) all applicable Securities Laws and other applicable laws and (y) all requirements set forth in applicable contracts, without violation of preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights. “Securities Laws” means the Securities Act, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the listing rules of, or any listing agreement with the NASDAQ Global Market (the “Nasdaq”) and any other applicable law regulating securities or takeover matters.
(e) Due Issuance of the Subscription Shares. At the Closing Date, the Subscription Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to and paid for by the Subscriber pursuant to this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free and clear of any pledge, mortgage, security interest, encumbrance, lien, charge, assessment, title defect, right of first refusal, right of pre-emption, third party right or interest, claim or restriction of any kind or nature (collectively the “Encumbrances”), except for restrictions arising under the Securities Act or created by virtue of this Agreement (including the lock-up provision in Section 3.1 below), and upon delivery and entry into the register of members of the Company will transfer to the Subscriber good and valid title to the Subscription Shares.
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(f) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a material breach of, constitute a material default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of a material Encumbrance under, or create in any party, in material respects, the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets are subject. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries that questions the validity of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents the right of the Company to enter into this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(g) Consents and Approvals. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, nor the consummation by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, nor the performance by the Company of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party (other than filings that have been made pursuant to applicable U.S. state securities laws and post-sale filings pursuant to applicable U.S. state and federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq, which the Company undertakes to file within the applicable time periods), except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.
(h) Solicitation. Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has offered or sold the Subscription Shares by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act).
(i) Regulation S. No directed selling efforts (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the Securities Act) have been made by any of the Company, any of its affiliates or any person acting on its behalf with respect to any Subscription Shares that are not registered under the Securities Act; and none of such persons has taken any actions that would result in the sale of the Subscription Shares to the Subscriber under this Agreement requiring registration under the Securities Act; and the Company is a “foreign issuer” (as defined in Regulation S).
ARTICLE III COVENANTS
Section 3.1. Distribution Compliance Period. The Subscriber agrees not to resell, pledge or transfer any Subscription Shares within the United States or to any U.S. Person, as each of those terms is defined in Regulation S, during the 40 days following the Closing Date.
Section 3.2. Further Assurances. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, (i) the Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (ii) the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (x) conduct its business and affairs in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (y) not take any action, or omit to take any action, that would reasonably be expected to make any of its representations and warranties in this Agreement untrue at, or as of any time before, the Closing Date.
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ARTICLE IV MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. Each of the Parties agrees and consents to personal jurisdiction and venue in any federal or state court within the Borough of Manhattan, in the City of New York, having subject matter jurisdiction, for the purposes of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
Section 4.2. Amendment. This Agreement shall not be amended, changed or modified, except by another agreement in writing executed by the Parties hereto.
Section 4.3. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, each of the Company and the Subscriber and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns and legal representatives. Nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, except as expressly provided in this Agreement and.
Section 4.4. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, duties or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Company or the Subscriber without the express written consent of the other Party, except that the Subscriber may assign all or any part of his rights and obligations hereunder to any affiliate controlled by the Subscriber without the consent of the Company, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Subscriber of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such obligations. Any purported assignment in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void.
Section 4.5. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of actual delivery if delivered personally to the Party to whom notice is to be given, on the date sent if sent by telecopier, tested telex or prepaid telegram, on the next business day following delivery to Federal Express properly addressed or on the day of attempted delivery by the U.S. Postal Service if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage paid, and properly addressed as follows:
If to the Subscriber, at: |
Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd. | ||
Attention: Jennifer Shao | |||
Address: OMC Chambers, Wickhams Cay 1, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
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If to the Company, at: | XChange TEC.INC | ||
Attention: ZHICHEN SUN | |||
Address: No. 801, Building 1, 1136 Xinzha Road, JingAn District, Shanghai, 200041 |
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E-mail: frank@qk365.com |
Any Party may change its address for purposes of this Section 4.5 by giving the other Parties hereto written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.
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Section 4.6. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters covered hereby, and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or in writing, if any, between the Parties with respect to the matters covered hereby are merged and superseded by this Agreement.
Section 4.7. Severability. If any provisions of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any action or proceeding whether in its entirety or in any portion, then such provision shall be deemed amended, if possible, or deleted, as the case may be, from the Agreement in order to render the remainder of the Agreement and any provision thereof both valid and enforceable, and all other provisions hereof shall be given effect separately therefrom and shall not be affected thereby.
Section 4.8. Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each of the Company and the Subscriber will bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants and financial advisors.
Section 4.9. Confidentiality. Each Party hereto shall keep in confidence and shall not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any non-public information disclosed to it or its affiliates, representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Party hereto shall ensure that its affiliates, representatives and agents keep in confidence, and do not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any such non-public information, except for Required Disclosures (as defined below). In the event that a Party, or any of its affiliates, representatives and agents, is required by law, regulation or judgment of a competent jurisdiction or requested by any governmental or regulatory agency of a competent jurisdiction (including, without limitation, any stock exchange or self-regulatory organization) to disclose any such non-public information (such disclosure being referred to as “Required Disclosures” herein), it shall, to the extent legally permissible, notify the other Party as promptly as practicable under the circumstances so that the other Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy. In the event that the other Party does not indicate its intention to obtain such protective order or other remedy within two (2) business days of receipt of the notice of such Required Disclosures, the disclosing Party shall furnish only that portion of the non-public information that is legally required.
Section 4.10. Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the Parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.
Section 4.11. Headings. The headings of the various articles and sections of this Agreement are inserted merely for the purpose of convenience and do not expressly or by implication limit, define or extend the specific terms of the section so designated.
Section 4.12. Execution in Counterparts. For the convenience of the Parties and to facilitate execution, this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above written.
XChange TEC.INC | ||
By: | /s/ Zhichen Sun | |
Name: | Zhichen Sun | |
Title: | CEO |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above written.
Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd. | ||
By: | /s/ Jennifer Shao | |
Name: | Jennifer Shao | |
Title: | Director |
Exhibit 99.2
May 9, 2025
XChange TEC.INC
Re: Payoff Letter
Dear Sirs,
Reference is hereby made to the US$50,000,000 secured promissory note agreement, dated April 23, 2025 (the “Note Agreement”), between XChange TEC.INC as borrower (the “Maker”) and Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd. as the holder (the “Holder”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Note Agreement.
Pursuant to the subscription agreement (“Subscription Agreement”) dated May 9, 2025 between the Maker and the Holder, the Holder agrees to subscribe for the Subscription Shares (as defined in the Subscription Agreement) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Subscription Agreement.
Upon the occurrence of Closing (as defined in the Subscription Agreement), all amount outstanding under the Note Agreement and the other transaction documents shall, simultaneously upon the occurrence of Closing, be deemed repaid by the Maker and the Maker shall not be liable to the Holder in respect of any obligations under the Note Agreement (including all principal, accrued interest and all other amounts outstanding under the Note Agreement) (the “Discharge”).
Upon the occurrence of the Closing, the Holder shall, upon the reasonable request and at the cost and expenses of the Maker, (i) do all things and execute all documents as may reasonably necessary to give effect to the release of the transaction security and the termination of (a) the Note Agreement, and (b) the security interest in and first lien on the Collateral (without prejudice to any claims, rights or obligations that are expressly stated to survive termination of the Finance Documents); and (ii) authorise the Maker to make filings and releases and provide notices of satisfaction of charge to give effect to the matters set out in the deed of release and termination, in each case without the signature of the Maker, to the extent permitted by law.
Notwithstanding anything provided in this Payoff Letter, each of the Maker and the Holder agrees that if the Closing does not occur, the Discharge will not occur and the terms and conditions of the Finance Documents will remain in full force and effect.
This Payoff Letter shall be binding on and shall inure solely to the benefit of the Maker, the Holder, the Security Providers and their respective successors and assigns, and no other person shall have any rights herein under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Ordinance (Chapter 623 of the laws of Hong Kong) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any provision of this Payoff Letter.
This Payoff Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and shall have the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Payoff Letter.
This Payoff Letter and the rights and obligations of the parties arising hereunder shall be governed by, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with Hong Kong law.
Very truly yours, | |||
HOLDER | |||
Infinity Asset Solutions Ltd. | |||
By: | /s/ Jennifer Shao | ||
Name: | Jennifer Shao | ||
Title: | Director |
Agreed to and accepted on May 9, 2025: | ||
BORROWER | ||
XChange TEC.INC | ||
By: | /s/ ZHICHEN SUN | |
Name: | ZHICHEN SUN | |
Title: | CEO |
Exhibit 99.3
XChange TEC.INC
2025 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purpose of the Plan
The purpose of this 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to aid the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting and retaining key employees, directors or consultants of outstanding ability and to motivate such employees, directors or consultants to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and its Affiliates by providing incentives through the granting of Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the added interest which such key employees, directors or consultants will have in the welfare of the Company as a result of their proprietary interest in the Company’s success.
2. Definitions
The following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meanings set forth in this Section:
(a) | Applicable Laws: All laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances, rules or governmental requirements that are applicable to this Plan or any Award granted pursuant to this Plan, including but not limited to applicable laws of the People’s Republic of China, the United States and the Cayman Islands, and the rules and requirements of any applicable national securities exchange. |
(b) | Act: The U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto. |
(c) | Affiliate: With respect to the Company, any entity directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Company or any other entity designated by the Board in which the Company or an Affiliate has an interest. |
(d) | Award: An Option, Restricted Share or Restricted Share Unit award granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan. |
(e) | Beneficial Owner: A “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto). |
(f) | Board: The board of directors of the Company. |
(g) | Change of Control: The occurrence of any of the following events: |
(i) the sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all, of the assets of the Company to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are defined in Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Act) other than the Permitted Holders;
(ii) any person or group, other than the Permitted Holders, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting share of the Company (or any entity which controls the Company), including by way of merger, consolidation, tender or exchange offer or otherwise; or (iii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company, then still in office, who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board, then in office.
(h) | Code: The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto. |
(i) | Committee: The compensation committee of the Board. |
(j) | Company: XChange TEC.INC, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands. |
(k) | Disability: Inability of a Participant to perform in all material respects his duties and responsibilities to the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company, by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity which inability is reasonably expected to be permanent and has continued (i) for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days or (ii) such shorter period as the Committee may reasonably determine in good faith. The Disability determination shall be in the sole discretion of the Committee and a Participant (or his representative) shall furnish the Committee with medical evidence documenting the Participant’s disability or infirmity which is satisfactory to the Committee. |
(l) | Effective Date: The date the Board approves the Plan, or such later date as is designated by the Board. |
(m) | Employment: The term “Employment” as used herein shall be deemed to refer to (i) a Participant’s employment if the Participant is an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) a Participant’s services as a consultant, if the Participant is consultant to the Company or its Affiliates and (iii) a Participant’s services as an non-employee director, if the Participant is a non-employee member of the Board. |
(n) | Fair Market Value: On a given date, (i) if there should be a public market for the Shares on such date, the closing price of the Shares as reported on such date on the Composite Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or (ii) if there should not be a public market for the Shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the Committee in good faith. |
(o) | ISO: An Option that is also an incentive share option granted pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan. |
(p) | Option: A share option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan. |
(q) | Participant: An employee, director or consultant who is selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan. |
(r) | Permitted Holder: means, as of the date of determination, (i) the Company or (ii) any employee benefit plan (or trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its voting power of its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company. |
(s) | Person: A “person”, as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Act (or any successor section thereto). |
(t) | Plan: This 2025 Equity Incentive Plan. |
(u) | Restricted Share: a Share awarded to a Participant pursuant to Section 7 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture. |
(v) | Restricted Share Unit: means an Award granted pursuant to Section 8. |
(w) | Shares: Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company, par value US$0.0000001 per share. |
(x) | Subsidiary: A corporation or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting shares or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company. |
3. Shares Subject to the Plan
The total number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 11,800,000,000 (which will be equitably adjusted in the event of any share dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, reverse split, combination, consolidation or similar transactions). The Shares shall consist of unissued Shares in the authorized share capital of the Company. The issuance of Shares or the payment of cash upon the exercise of an Award or in consideration of the cancellation or termination of an Award shall reduce the total number of Shares available under the Plan, as applicable. Shares which are subject to Awards which terminate or lapse without the payment of consideration may be granted again under the Plan.
4. Administration
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its duties and powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be made under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or its subsidiaries or a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines. The number of Shares underlying such substitute awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan. The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, to determine the Participants under the Plan, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned (including, but not limited to, Participants and their beneficiaries or successors). The Committee shall have the full power and authority to establish the terms and conditions of any Award consistent with the provisions of the Plan and to waive any such terms and conditions at any time (including, without limitation, accelerating or waiving any vesting conditions). The Committee shall require payment of any amount it may determine to be necessary to withhold for any applicable taxes as a result of the exercise, grant or vesting of an Award. Unless the Committee specifies otherwise, the Participant may elect to pay a portion or all of such withholding taxes by (a) delivery in Shares or (b) having Shares withheld by the Company from any Shares that would have otherwise been received by the Participant.
5. Limitations
No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.
6. Terms and Conditions of Options
Options granted under the Plan shall be, as determined by the Committee, non-qualified or incentive share options for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as evidenced by the related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the foregoing and the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) | Exercise Price. Provided that the exercise price per Share shall not be less than the par value of any such Shares, the exercise price per Share subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award agreement which may be a fixed price or a variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares. |
(b) | Exercisability. Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time and upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an Option be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is granted. |
(c) | Exercise of Options. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes of this Section 6 of the Plan, the exercise date of an Option shall be the later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if applicable, the date payment is received by the Company pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) in the following sentence. The purchase price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant (i) in cash or its equivalent (e.g., by check), (ii) to the extent permitted by the Committee, in Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price for the Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such Shares have been held by the Participant for no less than six months (or such other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles), (iii) partly in cash and, to the extent permitted by the Committee and subject to the other requirements and conditions set forth above in (ii), partly in Shares or (iv) if there is a public market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to sell Shares obtained upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such sale equal to the aggregate exercise price for the Shares being purchased. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a shareholder with respect to Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise of the Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. |
(d) | ISOs. The Committee may grant Options under the Plan that are intended to be ISOs. Such ISOs shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor section thereto). No ISO may be granted to any Participant who at the time of such grant, owns more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any Subsidiary, unless (i) the exercise price for such ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the ISO is granted and (ii) the date on which such ISO terminates is a date not later than the day preceding the fifth anniversary of the date on which the ISO is granted. Any Participant who disposes of Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO either (i) within two years after the date of grant of such ISO or (ii) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, shall notify the Company of such disposition and of the amount realized upon such disposition. All Options granted under the Plan are intended to be nonqualified share options, unless the applicable Award agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an ISO. If an Option is intended to be an ISO, and if for any reason such Option (or portion thereof) shall not qualify as an ISO, then, to the extent of such non-qualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a nonqualified share option granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to nonqualified share options. In no event shall any member of the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates (or their respective employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any other Person) due to the failure of an Option to qualify for any reason as an ISO. |
(e) | Attestation. Wherever in this Plan or any agreement evidencing an Award a Participant is permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the Company shall treat the Option as exercised without further payment and shall withhold such number of Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option. |
7. Terms and Conditions of Restricted Shares
(a) | Grant of Restricted Shares. The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Shares to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Shares to be granted to each Participant. |
(b) | Restricted Shares Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Shares shall be evidenced by an Award agreement that shall specify the period of restriction, the number of Restricted Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, Restricted Shares shall be held by the Company or entity(ies) designated by the Company, as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Restricted Shares have lapsed. |
(c) | Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Shares or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Shares). These restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, pursuant to such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise, as the Committee determines at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter. |
(d) | Forfeiture/Repurchase. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Shares that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited, redeemed or repurchased in accordance with the Award agreement; provided, however, the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Award agreement that restrictions or forfeiture, redemption and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares. |
(e) | Certificates for Restricted Shares. Restricted Shares granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares are registered in the name of the Participant, certificates must bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse. |
(f) | Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Restricted Shares granted under the Plan shall be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the period of restriction. The Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions shall lapse or be removed. After the restrictions have lapsed, the Participant shall be entitled to have any legend or legends under Section 7(e) removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Shares shall be freely transferable by the Participant, subject to applicable legal restrictions. The Committee (in its discretion) may establish procedures regarding the release of Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company. |
8. Terms and Conditions of Restricted Share Units
(a) | Grant of Restricted Share Units. The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Share Units to Participants as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine the number of Restricted Share Units to be granted to each Participant. |
(b) | Restricted Share Units Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Share Units shall be evidenced by an Award agreement that shall specify any vesting conditions, the number of Restricted Share Units granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. |
(c) | Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Share Units. At the time of grant, the Committee shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Share Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable. Upon vesting, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay Restricted Share Units in the form of cash, Shares or a combination thereof. |
(d) | Forfeiture/Repurchase. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Share Units that are at that time unvested shall be forfeited or repurchased in accordance with the Award agreement; provided, however, the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Unit Award agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units will be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and (b) in other cases waive in whole or in part restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Share Units. |
9. Adjustments Upon Certain Events
Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Plan:
(a) | Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares after the Effective Date by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, combination or transaction or exchange of Shares or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to shareholders of Shares other than regular cash dividends or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person shall make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan or pursuant to outstanding Awards, (ii) the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant, (iii) the exercise price of any Award and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such Awards. |
(b) | Change of Control. In the event of a Change of Control after the Effective Date, (i) if determined by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise, any outstanding Awards then held by Participants which are unexercisable or otherwise unvested or subject to lapse restrictions shall automatically be deemed exercisable or otherwise vested or no longer subject to lapse restrictions, as the case may be, as of immediately prior to such Change of Control and (ii) the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, (A) cancel such Awards for fair value (as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee) which, in the case of Options, may equal the excess, if any, of value of the consideration to be paid in the Change of Control transaction to holders of the same number of Shares subject to such Options (or, if no consideration is paid in any such transaction, the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Options) over the aggregate exercise price of such Options, (B) provide for the issuance of substitute Awards that will substantially preserve the otherwise applicable terms of any affected Awards previously granted hereunder as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion or (C) provide that for a period of at least 15 days prior to the Change of Control, such Options shall be exercisable as to all Shares subject thereto and that upon the occurrence of the Change of Control, such Options shall terminate and be of no further force and effect. |
10. No Right to Employment or Awards, No Shareholders Rights
The granting of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company or any Subsidiary to continue the Employment of a Participant and shall not lessen or affect the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate the Employment of such Participant. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether or not such Participants are similarly situated).
No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Shares are in fact issued to such person in connection with such Award.
11. Successors and Assigns
The Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and a Participant, including without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, Committee or trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the Participant’s creditors.
12. Nontransferability of Awards
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. An Award exercisable after the death of a Participant may be exercised by the legatees, personal representatives or distributees of the Participant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision herein shall prevent or forbid transfers by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, to a trust that was established solely for tax planning purposes and not for purposes of profit or commercial activity or, to one or more “family members” (as such term is defined in SEC Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) by gift or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order.
13. Amendments or Termination
The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made, (a) without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, if such action would (except as is provided in Section 9 of the Plan), increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan or change the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted to any Participant, in each case only to the extent such approval is required by the principal national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or (b) without the consent of a Participant, if such action would diminish any of the rights of the Participant under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of Awards meeting the requirements of any Applicable Laws.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent applicable, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Plan and Awards issued hereunder shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that the Committee determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable to a Participant under Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance prior to payment to such Participant of such amount, the Company may (a) adopt such amendments to the Plan and Awards and appropriate policies and procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided by the Plan and Awards hereunder and/or (b) take such other actions as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
14. Multiple Jurisdictions
In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in various jurisdictions, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom applicable in the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides or is employed. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of the Plan as in effect for any other purpose; provided, however, that no such supplements, amendments, restatements or alternative versions shall increase the Share limitation contained in Section 3 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted that would violate any Applicable Laws.
15. Distribution of Shares
The obligation of the Company to make payments in Shares pursuant to an Award shall be subject to all Applicable Laws and to any such approvals by government agencies as may be required. Additionally, in the discretion of the Committee, American depositary shares, or ADSs, may be distributed in lieu of Shares in settlement of any Award, provided that the ADSs shall be of equal value to the Shares that would have otherwise been distributed. If the number of Shares represented by an ADS is other than on a one-to-one basis, the limitations contained in Section 3 shall be adjusted to reflect the distribution of ADSs in lieu of Shares.
16. Taxes
No Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any Participant until such Participant has made arrangements acceptable to the Committee for the satisfaction of any income and employment tax withholding obligations under any Applicable Laws, in particular, the tax laws, rules, regulations and government orders of the People’s Republic of China or the U.S. federal, state or other local tax laws, as applicable. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Participant’s payroll tax obligations, if any) required to be withheld under any Applicable Laws with respect to any Award issued to the Participant hereunder. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Shares which may be withheld with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of any Award (or which may be repurchased from the Participant of such Award after such Shares were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy the Participant’s federal, state, local and other income and payroll tax liabilities with respect to the issuance, vesting, exercise or payment of the Award shall, unless specifically approved by the Committee, be limited to the number of Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and other income tax any payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such taxable income.
17. Clawback Policy
Awards granted under the Plan and any gross proceeds received by Participants with respect to Awards granted under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy, as amended from time to time, to comply with regulations related to recoupment or clawback of compensation adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the listing standards of any national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed or any other applicable law, rule, or regulation. Clawback can, if applicable and where permitted by applicable local law, be made by deducting payments that will be due in the future (including salary, bonuses, and other forms of compensation). A Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan shall constitute such Participant’s acknowledgement and recognition that the Participant’s compliance with this Section 17 is a condition for the Participant’s receipt of the Award.
18. Choice of Law
The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.
19. Effectiveness of the Plan
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall terminate ten years later, subject to earlier termination by the Board pursuant to Section 13 hereof.
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