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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Agreement and Plan of Merger

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER | Document Parties: ALYST ACQUISITION CORP | Chardan Capital Markets, LLC | China Network Merger Co, Ltd | China Networks International Holdings, Ltd | China Networks Media Limited | China Networks Media, Ltd | CHINA NETWORKS MERGER CO LTD | MediaInv Ltd | Surviving Corporation You are currently viewing:
This Agreement and Plan of Merger involves

ALYST ACQUISITION CORP | Chardan Capital Markets, LLC | China Network Merger Co, Ltd | China Networks International Holdings, Ltd | China Networks Media Limited | China Networks Media, Ltd | CHINA NETWORKS MERGER CO LTD | MediaInv Ltd | Surviving Corporation

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Title: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Governing Law: Delaware     Date: 8/18/2008
Industry: Misc. Financial Services     Law Firm: McDermott Will;Loeb Loeb     Sector: Financial

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, Parties: alyst acquisition corp , chardan capital markets  llc , china network merger co  ltd , china networks international holdings  ltd , china networks media limited , china networks media  ltd , china networks merger co ltd , mediainv ltd , surviving corporation
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EXHIBIT 2.1

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and among

 

ALYST ACQUISITION CORP.,

 

CHINA NETWORKS MEDIA LIMITED,

 

MEDIAINV LTD.,

 

KERRY PROPPER

 

AND THE OTHER PERSONS SIGNATORY HERETO

 

Dated as of August 13, 2008

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

THE REDOMESTICATION MERGER

2

1.1

The Redomestication Merger

2

1.2

Effective Time

2

1.3

Effect of the Redomestication Merger

2

1.4

Memorandum and Articles of Association

2

1.5

Directors and Officers of the China Networks Surviving Corporation

2

1.6

Effect on Capital Stock

3

1.7

Surrender of Certificates

4

1.8

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

4

1.9

Status of Redomestication Merger for Tax Purposes

5

1.10

Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

5

2.1

Business Combination

5

2.2

Closing; Effective Time

5

2.3

Effect of the Business Combination

6

2.4

[Intentionally Omitted]

6

2.5

Memorandum and Articles of Association

6

2.6

Directors of China Networks II Surviving Corporation

6

2.7

Effect on Capital Stock

6

2.8

Surrender of Certificates

10

2.9

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates

10

2.10

Status of Business Combination for Tax Purposes

11

2.11

Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action

11

2.12

Withholding Rights

11

2.13

Shares Subject to Appraisal Rights

11

2.14

Restriction on Disposal of Shares

12

2.15

Payment Procedures

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

13

3.1

Organization, Standing and Power; Framework Agreements

14

3.2

Subsidiaries

15

3.3

Capital Structure

15

3.4

Authority

16

3.5

No Conflict

16

3.6

Consents and Approvals

16

3.7

Financial Statements

17

3.8

Absence of Certain Changes

17

3.9

Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities

17

 

 

- i -


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

Page

 

3.10

Litigation

17

3.11

Restrictions on Business Activities

17

3.12

Governmental Authorization

18

3.13

Title to Property

18

3.14

Intellectual Property

18

3.15

Taxes

18

3.16

Employee Benefit Plans

20

3.17

Labor Matters

20

3.18

Interested Party Transactions

20

3.19

Insurance

20

3.20

Material Company Contracts

20

3.21

Compliance With Laws

22

3.22

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

22

3.23

Money Laundering Laws

22

3.24

Governmental Inquiry

23

3.25

Minute Books

23

3.26

Real Property

23

3.27

Brokers’ and Finders’ Fees

23

3.28

Vote Required

23

3.29

Board Approval

23

3.30

Representations Complete

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT, MERGER SUB I AND MERGER SUB II

23

4.1

Organization, Standing and Power

24

4.2

Capital Structure

25

4.3

Authority

26

4.4

No Conflict

26

4.5

Consents and Approval

27

4.6

SEC Documents; Financial Statements

27

4.7

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

28

4.8

Absence of Certain Changes

29

4.9

Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities

29

4.10

Litigation

29

4.11

Restrictions on Business Activities

29

4.12

No Interest in Property

30

4.13

Employee Benefit Plans

30

4.14

Labor Matters

30

4.15

Interested Party Transactions

30

4.16

Insurance

30

4.17

Compliance With Laws

30

4.18

Brokers’ and Finders’ Fees

30

 

 

- ii -


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

Page

 

4.19

Minute Books

30

4.20

Vote Required

31

4.21

Board Approval

31

4.22

ASE Quotation

31

4.23

Trust Account Funds

31

4.24

Representations Complete

31

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION EFFECTIVE TIME

31

5.1

Conduct of Business

31

5.2

Restrictions on Conduct of Business

32

5.3

Joint Ventures and Framework Agreements

34

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

34

6.1

Merger Proxy/Prospectus; Special Meeting

34

6.2

Form 8-K

35

6.3

Action of Company’s Shareholders

36

6.4

Employment Agreements

36

6.5

Registration Rights Agreement

36

6.6

Fiscal Year

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

36

7.1

No Claim Against Trust Account

36

7.2

Access to Information

37

7.3

Confidential Information; Non-Solicitation or Negotiation

37

7.4

Public Disclosure

39

7.5

Consents; Cooperation

40

7.6

Legal Requirements

40

7.7

Blue Sky Laws

40

7.8

Indemnification

41

7.9

Best Efforts and Further Assurances

42

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

CONDITIONS TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

42

8.1

Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Parent to Consummate the Business Combination

42

8.2

Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Consummate the Business Combination

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

POST-CLOSING COVENANTS

49

 

 

- iii -


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

Page

 

9.1

MANDATORY REGISTRATION OF CLOSING SHARES

49

9.2

Registration of Performance Shares

49

9.3

D&O Insurance

49

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES

49

10.1

Survival

49

10.2

Indemnification by the Principal Shareholders

50

10.3

Limitations on Amount

52

10.4

Determining Damages

52

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

52

11.1

Termination

52

11.2

Effect of Termination

53

11.3

Expenses and Termination Fees

54

11.4

Amendment

54

11.5

Extension; Waiver

55

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

55

12.1

Notices

55

12.2

Interpretation/Definitions

56

12.3

Counterparts

56

12.4

Entire Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest

56

12.5

Severability

57

12.6

Remedies Cumulative; Specific Performance

57

12.7

Governing Law

57

12.8

Rules of Construction

58

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of August 13, 2008, by and among Alyst Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (including its successors and assigns, the “ Parent ”), China Networks Media Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (including its successors and assigns, the “ Company ”), MediaInv Ltd., a British Virgin Islands corporation and Kerry Propper (each a “ Principal Shareholder ,” and together with their successors and assigns from the date hereof until the Business Combination Effective time (as defined below), collectively the “ Principal Shareholders ”) and each of the other persons signatories hereto.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Parent has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in the British Virgin Islands (“ Merger Sub I ”), solely for the purpose of a merger of Parent with and into Merger Sub I, in which Merger Sub I will be the surviving corporation (the “ Redomestication Merger ”). The name of Merger Sub I is or is in the process of being changed to China Networks International Holdings, Ltd.;

 

WHEREAS, immediately after the formation of Merger Sub I, Merger Sub I formed a wholly-owned subsidiary in the British Virgin Islands (“ Merger Sub II ”), solely for the purpose of a merger of Merger Sub II with and into the Company in which the Company will be the surviving corporation (the “ Business Combination ”). The name of Merger Sub II is China Network Merger Co., Ltd.;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to and in connection with the Business Combination, and as part of the same integrated transaction (such that neither the Business Combination nor the Redomestication Merger shall occur without the other), Parent and Merger Sub I shall consummate the Redomestication Merger, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the outstanding shares of common stock of the Parent, U.S. $0.0001 par value (the “ Parent Common Stock ”) shall be converted into shares in Merger Sub I, U.S. $0.0001 par value (the “ Surviving Corporation Shares ”) and (ii) all warrants and other rights to purchase Parent Common Stock then outstanding (the “ Parent Stock Rights ”) shall be exchanged for substantially equivalent securities of Merger Sub I at the rate set forth herein (“ Surviving Corporation Stock Rights ”); and

 

WHEREAS, as part of the same integrated transaction (such that neither the Business Combination nor the Redomestication Merger shall occur without the other) Merger Sub II and the Company shall consummate the Business Combination, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the outstanding common shares of the Company, U.S. $.0005 par value (“ Company Shares ”), shall be converted into Surviving Corporation Shares and the right to receive the other consideration referred to herein and (ii) the Class A Preferred Shares of the Company, U.S. $.0005 par value issued in the Financing referred to herein (“ Preferred Shares ”, and together with the Company Shares, the “ Company Securities ”) shall be converted into Surviving Corporation Shares, in each case at the rate set forth herein.

 

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

THE REDOMESTICATION MERGER

 

1.1   The Redomestication Merger . At the Effective Time (as defined below) and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Redomestication Plan of Merger and Articles and Plan of Merger to be prepared by the Parent, and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“ Delaware Law ”) and the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (“ BVI Law ”), respectively, Parent shall be merged with and into Merger Sub I, the separate corporate existence of Parent shall cease and Merger Sub I shall continue as the surviving corporation. Merger Sub I as the surviving corporation after the Redomestication Merger is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ China Networks Surviving Corporation .”

 

1.2   Effective Time . The parties hereto shall cause the Redomestication Merger to be consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware Law, and the Articles and Plan of Merger with the British Virgin Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in accordance with the relevant provisions of BVI Law (the time of such filings, or such later time as specified in the Certificate of Merger and the Articles and Plan of Merger, being the “ Effective Time ”).

 

1.3   Effect of the Redomestication Merger . At the Effective Time, the effect of the Redomestication Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger, the Articles and Plan of Merger and the applicable provisions of Delaware Law and BVI Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of the Parent and Merger Sub I shall become the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises, debts, liabilities, duties and obligations of the China Networks Surviving Corporation, which shall include the assumption by China Networks Surviving Corporation of any and all agreements, covenants, duties and obligations of the Parent set forth in this Agreement to be performed after the Closing, and all Surviving Corporation Shares issued and outstanding as a result of the conversion under Section 1.6(a) hereof shall be listed on the American Stock Exchange (“ ASE ”), or such other public trading market on which the Surviving Corporation Shares may be trading at such time.

 

1.4   Memorandum and Articles of Association . At the Effective Time, the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Parent, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall cease and the Memorandum and Articles of Association (“ MOA ”) of Merger Sub I, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the MOA of the China Networks Surviving Corporation.

 

1.5   Directors and Officers of the China Networks Surviving Corporation . Immediately after the Effective Time, the board of directors of the China Networks Surviving

 

 

- 2 -


 

Corporation, shall, unless otherwise mutually agreed by the Parent and the Company, consist of three designees of the Parent (the “ Parent Designees ”) and four designees of the Company (the “ Company Designees ”) and the officers of the China Networks Surviving Corporation shall be Li Shuangqing as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman, Sean Hinton as Co-Chairman and Zhou Chuansheng as Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

 

1.6   Effect on Capital Stock . By virtue of the Redomestication Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Sub I, the Parent or the holders of any of the following securities:

 

(a)   Conversion of Parent Common Stock . At the Effective Time, each share of the Parent Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than those described in Section 1.6(c) below) shall be converted automatically into one Surviving Corporation Share (the “ Conversion Ratio ”), subject to any adjustments made pursuant to Section 1.6(d) . At the Effective Time, all shares of Parent Common Stock shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. The holders of certificates previously evidencing shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Parent Common Stock, except as provided herein or by law. Each certificate previously evidencing Parent Common Stock shall be exchanged for a certificate representing such number of Surviving Corporation Shares calculated by multiplying the Conversion Ratio then in effect by the number of shares of Parent Common Stock previously evidenced by the canceled certificates upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 1.7 .

 

(b)   Parent Stock Rights . At the Effective Time, each Parent Stock Right shall be converted into one substantially equivalent option, warrant or other Surviving Corporation Stock Right. At the Effective Time, the Parent Stock Rights shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. Each of the Surviving Corporation Stock Rights shall have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable agreements governing the Parent Stock Rights (the “ Parent Stock Rights Agreements ”) which are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that in the event of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 1.6(d) , (i) each of the Surviving Corporation Stock Rights will be exercisable for that number of whole Surviving Corporation Shares equal to the product of the number of shares of Parent Common Stock that were issuable upon exercise of such option or warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Conversion Ratio then in effect and rounded down to the nearest whole number of Surviving Corporation Shares, and (ii) the per share exercise price for the Surviving Corporation Shares issuable upon exercise of such Surviving Corporation Stock Rights will be equal to the quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per share of Parent Common Stock at which each such option or warrant was exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Conversion Ratio then in effect, rounded down to the nearest whole cent. At or prior to the Effective Time, Merger Sub I shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for future issuance, and shall maintain such reservation for so long as any of the Surviving Corporation Stock Rights remain outstanding, a sufficient number of Surviving Corporation Shares for delivery upon the exercise of such Surviving Corporation Stock Rights.

 

 

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(c)   Cancellation of Parent Common Stock Owned by Parent . At the Effective Time, if there are any shares of Parent Common Stock that are owned by the Parent as treasury stock or any shares of Parent Common Stock owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time, such shares shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.

 

(d)   Adjustments to Conversion Ratio . The Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any share sub-division or combination, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Merger Sub I Common Stock or Parent Common Stock), reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Merger Sub I Common Stock or Parent Common Stock occurring after the date hereof and prior to the Effective Time, so as to provide holders of Parent Common Stock and Merger Sub I Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such share sub-division or combination, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or like change.

 

(e)   Transfers of Ownership . If any certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares is to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered will be properly endorsed and accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such exchange will have paid to China Networks Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares in any name other than that of the registered holder of the certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of China Networks Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

(f)   No Liability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.6 , none of the China Networks Surviving Corporation, or any party hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

 

1.7   Surrender of Certificates . All Surviving Corporation Shares issued upon the surrender of shares of Parent Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, and all Surviving Corporation Stock Rights issued upon surrender of Parent Stock Rights in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such securities, provided that any restrictions on the sale and transfer of Parent Common Stock shall also apply to the Surviving Corporation Shares so issued in exchange.

 

1.8   Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . In the event any certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, China Networks Surviving Corporation shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements, as the case may be, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such Surviving Corporation Shares or Surviving Corporation Stock Rights, as may be required pursuant to Section 1.7 ; provided, however, that China Networks Surviving Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreement to deliver a bond in

 

 

- 4 -


 

such sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against China Networks Surviving Corporation with respect to the certificates or Parent Stock Rights Agreements alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

1.9   Status of Redomestication Merger for Tax Purposes . For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Redomestication Merger is intended to constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) and the parties thereto do hereby (i) adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 1.368-2(g) of the United States Treasury Regulations and (ii) agree to take all such actions incident thereto as shall be necessary or appropriate. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that no party is making any representation or warranty as to the qualification of the Redomestication Merger as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code, as to the effect, if any, that any transaction consummated on, after or prior to the Effective Time has or may have on any such reorganization status or the Tax (as defined below) implications of qualification of the Redomestication Merger as a reorganization. Each of the parties acknowledge and agree that each (i) has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal and tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) is responsible for paying its own Taxes.

 

1.10   Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action . If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the China Networks Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Parent and Merger Sub I, the officers and directors of Parent and Merger Sub I are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE BUSINESS COMBINATION

 

2.1   Business Combination . Immediately after the consummation of the Redomestication Merger, and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Business Combination Plan of Merger and Articles and Plan of Merger to be prepared by the Company (the “ Business Combination Articles and Plan of Merger ”), and in accordance with BVI Law, Merger Sub II shall be merged with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub II shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation. The Company as the surviving corporation after the Business Combination is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “ China Networks II Surviving Corporation .”

 

2.2   Closing; Effective Time . The closing of the Business Combination (the “ Closing ”) shall take place immediately after the consummation of the Redomestication Merger, which shall take place as soon as practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions set forth in Article VIII hereof or at such other time as the parties hereto agree (the “ Closing Date ”). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Loeb & Loeb LLP, 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, or at such other location as the parties hereto agree. On the Closing Date:

 

 

- 5 -


 

(a)   Merger Sub I and Parent shall cause the Redomestication Merger to be immediately consummated by filing the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, in accordance with the relevant provisions of Delaware Law, and the Articles and Plan of Merger with the British Virgin Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in accordance with the relevant provisions of BVI Law; and

 

(b)   Upon the completion of the Redomestication Merger, Merger Sub II and the Company shall cause the Business Combination to be immediately consummated by filing the Business Combination Articles and Plan of Merger with the British Virgin Islands Registrar of Corporate Affairs, in accordance with the relevant provisions of BVI Law (the “ Business Combination Effective Time ”).

 

2.3   Effect of the Business Combination . At the Business Combination Effective Time, the effect of the Business Combination shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Business Combination Articles and Plan of Merger and the applicable provisions of BVI Law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Business Combination Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, agreements, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub II shall vest in the China Networks II Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub II shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the China Networks II Surviving Corporation, and all Surviving Corporation Shares issued in exchange for Company Securities upon conversion in accordance with Section 2.7(a) shall, subject to the restrictions contained in Section 2.14 and applicable securities laws, be eligible for quotation on the ASE, or such other public trading market on which the Surviving Corporation Shares may be trading at such time.

 

2.4   [Intentionally Omitted]

 

2.5   Memorandum and Articles of Association . At the Business Combination Effective Time, the MOA of Merger Sub II, as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, shall cease and the MOA of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, shall be the MOA of China Networks II Surviving Corporation.

 

2.6   Directors of China Networks II Surviving Corporation . Immediately after the Business Combination Effective Time, the board of directors of China Networks II Surviving Corporation, shall consist of the same individuals designated as directors of China Networks Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof.

 

2.7   Effect on Capital Stock . By virtue of the Business Combination and without any action on the part of Merger Sub II, the Company or the holders of any of the following securities:

 

(a)   Conversion of Company Securities . At the Business Combination Effective Time, (i) each Company Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time (other than those described in Section 2.123 below) shall be converted automatically into (A) a number of Surviving Corporation Shares determined as follows: (x) 1,900,000 divided by (y) the total number of Company Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, plus (B) the right to

 

 

- 6 -


 

receive a cash amount determined as follows: (x) U.S. $10,000,000 divided by (y) the total number of Company Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, plus (C) the additional consideration described in Sections 2.7(f), (g) and (h), (the “ CS Per Share Amount ”), and (ii) each Preferred Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time shall be converted automatically into (A) a number of Surviving Corporation Shares determined as follows: (x) the number of Preferred Shares issued in the Financing to the bridge investors divided by (y) the total number of Preferred Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time (collectively, the “ Business Combination Conversion Ratio ”), subject to any adjustments made pursuant to Section 2.7(c) , plus (B) the right to receive a cash amount equal to $7.143, plus (C) the additional consideration described in Section 2.7(f) and (h), (the “ PS Per Share Amount ”). At the Business Combination Effective Time, all Company Securities shall cease to be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist. The holders of certificates previously evidencing the Company Securities outstanding immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Company Securities, except as provided herein or by law. Each certificate previously evidencing Company Securities shall be exchanged for such number of Surviving Corporation Shares calculated by multiplying the applicable Business Combination Conversion Ratio by the number of Company Securities previously evidenced by the canceled certificates and cash in an amount equal to the CS Per Share Amount or the PS Per Share Amount, as the case may be, upon the surrender of such certificate in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

(b)   Cancellation of Merger Sub II Common Stock Owned by Merger Sub II . At the Business Combination Effective Time, if any shares of Merger Sub II Common Stock are held by Merger Sub II as treasury shares or any shares of Merger Sub II Common Stock are owned by any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Merger Sub II immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, such shares shall be canceled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or payment therefor.

 

(c)   Adjustments to Business Combination Conversion Ratio . Each Business Combination Conversion Ratio shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any share sub-division or combination, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Surviving Corporation Shares or Company Securities), reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Surviving Corporation Shares and Company Securities occurring after the date hereof and prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, so as to provide holders of Company Securities the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such share sub-division or combination, stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization or like change.

 

(d)   Transfers of Ownership . If any certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares is to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered will be properly endorsed and accompanied by a duly executed instrument of transfer and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such exchange will have paid to China Networks II Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for Surviving Corporation Shares in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Certificate

 

 

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surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of China Networks II Surviving Corporation or any agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

(e)   No Liability . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.7 , none of China Networks II Surviving Corporation or any party hereto shall be liable to any person for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

 

(f)   Deferred Cash Payments .

 

(i)   In accordance with Section 2.7(a) , each holder of Company Shares as of the Business Combination Effective Time (each, a “ Closing Holder ”) shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation deferred cash payments contingent upon the achievement by China Networks Surviving Corporation of the amounts of Net Income (as defined below) set forth below in this Section 2.7(f) (the “ Deferred Cash Payments ”).

 

(ii)   China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation cash payments on or prior to December 31, 2009 equal to an aggregate amount of U.S. $3,000,000, solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $15,000,000 during the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding such payment, to be allocated among such holders based on their percentage ownership of the Company Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time (the “ Percentage Allocations ”).

 

(iii)   China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation additional cash payments on or prior to December 31, 2010 equal to an aggregate amount of U.S. $3,000,000, solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $25,000,000 during the four fiscal quarters immediately preceding such payments, to be allocated among the holders of Company Shares in accordance with their respective Percentage Allocations.

 

(iv)   As used herein, “ Net Income ” means the net income of China Networks Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) excluding equity-based compensation charges, extraordinary one-time charges and charges related to the Business Combination or impairment of goodwill; provided   that , with respect to any acquisitions of businesses or persons after the Business Combination Effective Time, in order for the net income generated by such acquired businesses or persons to be included in the foregoing definition of Net Income, such acquisitions must be accretive on a Net Income per share basis. In calculating Net Income per share, China Networks Surviving Corporation shall use China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited or reviewed financial statements for the fiscal period in question. For the acquisition to be accretive, the pro forma Net Income per share on a post-acquisition basis must be greater than the pro forma Net Income per share immediately prior to the acquisition.          

 

(v)   Any Deferred Cash Payments due and payable pursuant to the foregoing shall be paid to Closing Holders on the later of (i) the date 30 days after preparation

 

 

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and completion of China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited or reviewed financial statements for the fiscal period in question and (ii) the tenth business day after the determination of Net Income for purposes of this Agreement with respect to the fiscal period in question.

 

(g)   Deferred Stock Payment .

 

(i)   In accordance with Section 2.7(a) , each Closing Holder shall be entitled to receive deferred stock payments contingent upon the achievement by China Networks Surviving Corporation of the amounts of Net Income set forth below in this Section 2.7(g) (the “ Deferred Stock Payments ”).

 

(ii)   China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 2,850,000 newly issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $20,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Allocations.

 

(iii)   China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 3,075,000 newly issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $30,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010, to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Allocations.

 

(iv)   China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive from China Networks Surviving Corporation an additional 3,075,000 newly issued Surviving Corporation Shares solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation earning Net Income of at least U.S. $40,000,000 during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, to be allocated among the Closing Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Allocations.

 

(v)   Any Deferred Stock Payments due and payable pursuant to the foregoing shall be issued to the Closing Holders on the later of the (i) 30 days after preparation and completion of China Networks Surviving Corporation’s audited year-end financial statements for the fiscal period in question and (ii) tenth business day after the determination of Net Income for purposes of this Agreement with respect to the fiscal period in question.

 

(vi)   In the event that the Net Income target for any fiscal year is achieved during a fiscal year that is prior to the year corresponding to such Net Income target, the Closing Holders shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Deferred Stock Payment for the then current fiscal year, the Deferred Stock Payment for any additional future fiscal year with respect to which the Net Income target has also been achieved.

 

(vii)   All Surviving Corporation Shares issued hereunder shall be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable and issued in compliance with all applicable foreign, federal and state securities laws.

 

 

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(viii)   All Surviving Corporation Shares issued hereunder shall be subject to any lock-up, voting or similar agreement, including the Lock-Up Agreement, including the restrictions on transfer therein set forth, that each Closing Holder may be a party to at the time of its receipt of any Surviving Corporation Shares hereunder.

 

(ix)   The number of Surviving Corporation Shares set forth in this Section 2.7(g) shall be adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, reclassification, recapitalization, merger or consolidation or like capital adjustment affecting the Surviving Corporation Shares

 

(h)   Warrant Exercise Proceeds . In accordance with Section 2.7(a) , China Networks Surviving Corporation hereby agrees that the Closing Holders and holders of Preferred Shares as of the Closing (“ Preferred Share Closing Holders ”) shall be entitled to receive from the Company, cash payments (the “ Warrant Payments ”) equal to a maximum aggregate amount of U.S. $22,110,000 plus 10% of the aggregate gross proceeds received in the Financing from the bridge investors, solely and exclusively upon China Networks Surviving Corporation’s receipt of cash proceeds from the exercise of the Parent Warrants and the Insider Warrants (collectively, the “ Warrants ”), payable in accordance with this Section 2.7(h) . The Warrant Payments shall be allocated among such holders of Closing Holders and Preferred Share Closing Holders based on their percentage ownership of the sum of (a) the Company Shares, and (b) the Preferred Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time (the “WEP Percentage Allocations ”). Upon exercise of any Warrants, as soon as practicable after receipt of the actual cash proceeds received therefrom by China Networks Surviving Corporation (but in any event within 10 days) (the “ Cash Proceeds ”), China Networks Surviving Corporation shall make a cash payment to each Closing Holder and Preferred Share Closing Holder equal to 66% of the Cash Proceeds then available for distribution pursuant to the foregoing sentence multiplied by the WEP Percentage Allocation of such holder. The Company shall retain and apply to its general corporate purposes 34% of the Cash Proceeds. In no event shall the maximum aggregate amount payable pursuant to this Section 2.7(h) to any such holder exceed (x) U.S. $22,110,000 plus 10% of the aggregate gross proceeds received in the Financing from the bridge investors multiplied by (y) the WEP Percentage Allocation of such holder.

 

(i)   Stock Option Plan . Subject to the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal (as defined below), Parent shall implement an incentive stock option plan (the “Incentive Stock Option Plan”) pursuant to which directors, officers and employees of China Networks Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries may be granted options to purchase up to 2,500,000 Surviving Corporation Shares.

 

2.8   Surrender of Certificates . All Surviving Corporation Shares issued upon the surrender of shares of Company Securities in accordance with the terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such securities, other than any additional rights pursuant to this Agreement, provided that any restrictions on the sale and transfer of Company Securities shall also apply to the Surviving Corporation Shares so issued in exchange.

 

2.9   Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates . In the event any certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, China Networks II Surviving Corporation shall cause to be issued

 

 

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in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such Surviving Corporation Shares as may be required pursuant to Section 2.7(a) ; provided, however, that China Networks II Surviving Corporation may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against China Networks II Surviving Corporation with respect to the certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

 

2.10   Status of Business Combination for Tax Purposes . For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Business Combination is intended to constitute a taxable transaction and the parties to this Agreement shall act accordingly in respect of their Tax return filings and otherwise. Each of the parties acknowledge and agree that each (i) has had the opportunity to obtain independent legal and tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) is responsible for paying its own Taxes.

 

2.11   Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action . If, at any time after the Business Combination Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest China Networks II Surviving Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub II, the officers and directors of Company and Merger Sub II are fully authorized in the name of their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.

 

2.12   Withholding Rights . China Networks Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the cash and Surviving Corporation Shares otherwise deliverable under any and all provisions of this Agreement, such amounts as China Networks Surviving Corporation reasonably determines it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such delivery and payment under the Code or any provision of state, local, provincial or foreign tax law. To the extent that any amounts are so withheld all appropriate evidence of such deduction and withholding, including any receipts or forms required in order for the person with respect to whom such deduction and withholding occurred to establish the deduction and withholding and payment to the appropriate authority as being for its account with the appropriate authorities shall be delivered to the person with respect to whom such deduction and withholding has occurred, and such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes as having been delivered and paid to the person otherwise entitled to the cash and/or Surviving Corporation Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by China Networks Surviving Corporation.

 

2.13   Shares Subject to Appraisal Rights .

 

(a)   Notwithstanding Section 2.7(a) , BVI Dissenting Shares (as defined below) shall not be converted into a right to receive Surviving Corporation Shares and the holders thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by BVI Law. Each holder of BVI Dissenting Shares who becomes entitled to payment for such shares pursuant to BVI Law shall receive payment therefor from China Networks II Surviving Corporation in accordance with the BVI Law, provided, however, that, subject to BVI Law, (i) if any shareholder who asserts appraisal rights in connection with the Business Combination (a “ BVI Dissenter ”) has failed to

 

 

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establish his entitlement to such rights as provided in BVI Law, or (ii) if any such BVI Dissenter has effectively withdrawn his demand for payment for such shares or waived or lost his right to payment for his shares under the appraisal rights process under BVI Law the shares of Company Securities held by such BVI Dissenter shall be treated as if they had been converted, as of the Business Combination Effective Time, into a right to receive Surviving Corporation Shares and as provided in Section 2.7 . The Company shall give Parent and Chardan Capital Markets LLC prompt notice of any demands for payment received by the Company from a person asserting appraisal rights, and Parent shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to, or settlement or offer to settle, any such demands.

 

(b)   As used herein, “ BVI Dissenting Shares ” means any shares of Company Securities held by shareholders who are entitled to appraisal rights under BVI Law, and who have properly exercised, perfected and not subsequently withdrawn or lost or waived their rights to demand payment with respect to their shares in accordance with BVI Law.

 

2.14   Restriction on Disposal of Shares . As a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Principal Shareholder shall execute a lock-up agreement (the “ Lock-Up Agreement ”), in a form reasonably agreed to by the Parent and the Principal Shareholders, whereby each shall agree that until the six month anniversary of the Business Combination Effective Time (the “ Trade Commencement Date ”), each Principal Shareholder shall not directly or indirectly offer, sell, contract to sell, gift, exchange, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Surviving Corporation Shares received by such Principal Shareholder in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition, (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the Principal Shareholders or any affiliate of Principal Shareholders, or any person in privity with Principal Shareholders or any affiliate of Principal Shareholders, directly or indirectly, including the establishment or increase in a put equivalent position or liquidation or decrease in a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder (each of the foregoing referred to as a “ Disposition ”). Thereafter, until the six month anniversary of the Trade Commencement Date, each Principal Shareholder shall not engage in a Disposition of more than fifty percent (50%) of the Surviving Corporation Shares received by such Principal Shareholder in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date. Thereafter, until the twelve month anniversary of the Trade Commencement Date, each Principal Shareholder shall not engage in a Disposition of more than twenty five percent (25%) of the Surviving Corporation Shares received by such Principal Shareholder in connection with this Agreement on the Closing Date. Additional terms and conditions relating to the Disposition of the Surviving Corporation Shares received by the Principal Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement are set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement. The foregoing restriction is intended to preclude the Principal Shareholders from engaging in any hedging transaction, which is designed to or is reasonably expected to lead to or result in such a Disposition during such periods even if the relevant Surviving Corporation Shares would be disposed of by someone other than the Principal Shareholders.

 

 

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2.15   Payment Procedures.

 

(a)   Merger Stock Consideration . Upon surrender of a certificate that, immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, evidenced the outstanding Company Shares, for cancellation to China Networks Surviving Corporation, together with such other customary documents as may be required by China Networks Surviving Corporation, the holder of such certificate of Company Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Per Share Amount and a certificate evidencing their respective Surviving Corporation Shares, in accordance with Section 2.7 (the “ Merger Stock Consideration ”), and the certificate evidencing the Company Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.15 , each certificate of Company Shares shall be deemed at anytime after the Business Combination Effective Time to evidence only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Stock Consideration.

 

(b)   Paying Agent . As of the Business Combination Effective Time, the Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with a bank theretofore designated by the Company and the Parent (the “ Paying Agent ”), for the benefit of the holders of shares of Company Securities, for payment in accordance with this Article II, through the Paying Agent, cash and Surviving Corporation Shares in amounts equal to the consideration payable to the holders of Company Securities pursuant to Section 2.7(a) (such cash being hereinafter referred to as the “ Payment Fund ”). The Paying Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the cash and Surviving Corporation Shares contemplated to be paid and transferred to the holder of Company Securities pursuant to this Article II out of the Payment Fund. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any other purpose.

 

(c)   Payment Procedures . Upon surrender of a certificate that, immediately prior to the Business Combination Effective Time, evidenced outstanding Company Securities (other than shares described in Section 2.7(b) and BVI Dissenting Shares) (a “ Certificat e”) for cancellation to the Paying Agent, together with such other customary documents as may be required by the Paying Agent, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the applicable Business Combination Conversion Ratio multiplied by the number of Company Securities represented by such Certificate, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.8 , each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to evidence only the right to receive upon such surrender the consideration described in Section 2.7(a) .

 

(d)   Termination of Payment Fund . Any portion of the Payment Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of Company Securities for 30 days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to China Networks Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any holders of Company Securities that have not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to China Networks Surviving Corporation for the consideration described in Section 2.7(a) to which they are entitled.

 

 

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ARTICLE III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

In this Agreement, any reference to a “ Material Adverse Effect ” with respect to any person means any event, change or effect that is materially adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, business, operations or results of operations of such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of Material Adverse Effect shall not include events caused by general economic conditions (and solely with respect to this Article III, shall include economic conditions solely or principally applicable to the television and advertising industries, or to locations in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate.)

 

In this Agreement, any reference to the Company’s “ knowledge ” means the actual knowledge after reasonable inquiry of Li Shuangqing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, (the “ Knowledge Person ”) .

 

Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ Company Disclosure Schedule ”), which shall identify exceptions by specific section references, the Knowledge Person and the Company, hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Parent, as follows:

 

3.1   Organization, Standing and Power; Framework Agreements .

 

(a)   The Company and each of the entities listed on Schedule 3.1(a) (the “ Subsidiaries ”), is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, and no certificates of dissolution have been filed under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has all requisite authority and power (corporate and other), governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to carry on their respective businesses as presently conducted and to own, hold and operate their respective properties and assets as now owned, held and operated, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing or to have such authority and power, governmental licenses, authorizations, consents or approvals would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has delivered or made available to Parent a true and correct copy of the MOA of the Company and the organizational documents of each of the Subsidiaries, each as amended to date. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of any of the provisions of its respective MOA, bylaws or equivalent organizational documents.

 

(b)   Attached hereto on Schedule 3.1 are true and correct copies of each of the framework agreements to which Advertising Network Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, is a party with each of Kunming Television Station, a People’s Republic of China (“ PRC ”) television station (“ Kunming ”) and China Yellow River Television Station, a PRC television station (“ Yellow River ”) setting forth the terms and conditions for the formation of two joint ventures (each a “ Framework Agreement ”). Each Framework Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable against each of the parties thereto in accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect. None of the parties to any Framework Agreement is in breach or default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists

 

 

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that (with or without notice or lapse of time), would (i) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or become a default or event of default under, any provision of any Framework Agreement or (ii) permit the Company, Advertising Network Ltd. or any other party to any Framework Agreement the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any Framework Agreement. Neither the Company nor Advertising Network Ltd. has received notice of the pending or threatened cancellation, revocation or termination of any Framework Agreement; and (d) there are no renegotiations of, or attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material terms of any Framework Agreement.

 

3.2   Subsidiaries . Except for the Subsidiaries, and those entities set forth on Schedule 3.2 , the Company does not directly or indirectly own any equity or similar interest in, or any interest convertible or exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar interest in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity. The Company is the direct or indirect owner of all outstanding shares of capital stock of each of its subsidiaries and all such shares are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary are owned by the Company free and clear of all liens, charges, claims or encumbrances or rights of others. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.2 , there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, puts, calls, rights, exchangeable or convertible securities or other commitments or agreements of any character relating to the issued or unissued capital stock or other securities of any such subsidiary, or otherwise obligating the Company or any such subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities.

 

3.3   Capital Structure .

 

(a)   The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 2,950,000 shares, $.0005 par value, of which there are issued and outstanding, 1,900,000 ordinary shares and an amount of Preferred Shares equal to (x) the aggregate gross proceeds received in the Financing from the bridge investors multiplied by .035. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no other outstanding shares or voting securities and no outstanding commitments to issue any shares or voting securities after the date hereof. All outstanding Company Securities are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are free of any liens or encumbrances other than any liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the holders thereof, and are not subject to preemptive rights or rights of first refusal created by statute, the MOA of the Company or any agreement to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) and in connection with the Financing (as defined below), there are no options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound obligating the Company to issue, deliver, sell, repurchase or redeem, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, repurchased or redeemed, any shares of the Company or obligating the Company to grant, extend, change the price of, or otherwise amend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3(a) and in connection with the Financing, there are no contracts, commitments or agreements relating to voting, purchase or sale of the Company’s shares (x) between or among the Company and any of its shareholders, and (y) to the best of the Company’s knowledge, between or among any of the Company’s shareholders. 

 

 

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(b)   Set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) is the following: (i) the name and address of each person owning any capital stock or other equity interest in the Company; (ii) the certificate number of each certificate evidencing shares of capital stock or any other equity interest issued by the Company, (iii) the number of shares of capital stock or any other equity interest evidenced by each such certificate, (iv) the date of issuance thereof and, in the case of cancellation, the date of cancellation. Each Principal Shareholder represents and warrants that such person has good, valid and marketable title to, all the equity interests of the Company designated on Schedule 3.3(b) as owned by such Principal Shareholder.

 

3.4   Authority . i) The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject only to the adoption of this Agreement by the Company’s shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Shares, as contemplated by Section 8.1(d) . The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject only to the adoption of this Agreement by the Company’s shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Shares, as contemplated by Section 8.1(d) . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity.

 

(b)   Each Principal Shareholder and Li Shuangqing has all legal capacity and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each such person and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each such person, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and general principles of equity.

 

3.5   No Conflict . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not, conflict with, or result in any violation of, or default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation or loss of any benefit under (a) any provision of the MOA or bylaws of the Company or any of the organizational documents of its Subsidiaries, as amended, (b) any Law or Governmental Order applicable to the Company, its Subsidiaries or any Principal Shareholder or (c) any mortgage, indenture, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Principal Shareholder or any of their properties or assets, except where such conflict, violation, default, termination, cancellation or acceleration with respect to the foregoing provisions of (c) would not have had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.6   Consents and Approvals . No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality (“ Governmental Entity ”) is required by or with respect to any Principal Shareholder, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the

 

 

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execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for (a) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations and filings as may be required under applicable state securities laws and the securities laws of any country other than the United States set forth on Schedule 3.6 ; and (c) such other consents, authorizations, filings, approvals and registrations which, if not obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and would not prevent, or materially alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.7   Financial Statements . Attached hereto at Schedule 3.7 are the copies of the financial statements received by the Company from each of Kunming and Yellow River in connection with the Framework Agreements.

 

3.8   Absence of Certain Changes . Except for the Framework Agreements, and the transactions and arrangements contemplated thereby, since December 31, 2007 (the “ Company Balance Sheet Date ”), the Company and each of its Subsidiaries, has conducted its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and there has not occurred: (i) any change, event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance) that has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Material Adverse Effect to the Company; (ii) any acquisition, sale or transfer of any material asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; (iii) any change in accounting methods or practices (including any change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates) by the Company or any revaluation by the Company of any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets; (iv) any declaration, setting aside, or payment of a dividend or other distribution with respect to the shares of the Company, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by the Company of any of its shares of capital stock; (v) any material contract entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business and as provided or made available to Parent, or any amendment or termination of, or default under, any material contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound; (vi) any amendment or change to the MOA or bylaws of the Company or any Subsidiary; or (vii) any increase in or modification of the compensation or benefits payable, or to become payable, by the Company or its Subsidiaries to any of its directors or employees, other than pursuant to scheduled annual performance reviews, provided that any resulting modifications are in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the Company’s and its Subsidiaries past practices. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has agreed since December 31, 2007 to take any of the actions described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii) and are not currently involved in any negotiations to do any of the things described in the preceding clauses (i) through (vii) (other than the Framework Agreements, the Financing and negotiations with Parent and its representatives regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement).

 

3.9   Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities . The Company and the Subsidiaries have no material obligations or liabilities of any nature (matured or unmatured, known or unknown, fixed or contingent) other than (i) obligations or liabilities not in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate; (ii) those incurred pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) those incurred in connection with the Financing, and (iv) those incurred pursuant to the terms of any Framework Agreement.

 

3.10   Litigation . There is no private or governmental action, suit, proceeding, claim, arbitration, audit or investigation (“ Proceeding ”) pending before any agency, court, arbitrator or

 

 

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tribunal, foreign or domestic by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or any of their respective shareholders, officers or directors (in their capacities as such) nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any such Proceeding threatened against any Principal Shareholder, the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

3.11   Restrictions on Business Activities . There is no agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has or reasonably would be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practices of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any acquisition of property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the conduct of business by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

3.12   Governmental Authorization . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained as of the date hereof each governmental consent, license, permit, grant, or other authorization of a Governmental Entity (i) pursuant to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries currently operates or holds any interest in any of its properties or (ii) that is required for the operation of Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business or the holding of any such interest, ((i) and (ii) herein collectively called “ Company Authorizations ”), and all of such Company Authorizations are in full force and effect, except where the failure to obtain or have any of such Company Authorizations or where failure of such Company Authorizations to be in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

3.13   Title to Property . The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of their respective properties, interests in properties and assets, real and personal, reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or acquired after the Company Balance Sheet Date (except properties, interests in properties and assets sold or otherwise disposed of since the Company Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business), or in the case of leased properties and assets, valid leasehold interests in, free and clear of all mortgages, liens, pledges, charges or encumbrances of any kind or character, except (i) the lien of current taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) such imperfections of title, liens and easements as do not and will not materially detract from or interfere with the use of the properties subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair business operations involving such properties, (iii) liens securing debt which is reflected on the Company Balance Sheet, and (iv) liens that in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The property and equipment of Company and its Subsidiaries that are used in the operations of their businesses are in good operating condition and repair, except where the failure to be in good operating condition or repair would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All properties used in the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries are reflected in the Company Balance Sheet to the extent generally accepted accounting principles require the same to be reflected. Schedule 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each parcel of real property owned or leased by Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

3.14   Intellectual Property . Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and its Subsidiaries own, or have a license to use or otherwise possess legally enforceable and unencumbered rights to use, any patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names, copyrights, and any applications therefor, trade secrets, computer software programs, and tangible or intangible proprietary information or

 

 

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material that are used in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (“ Company Intellectual Property ”).

 

3.15   Taxes .

 

(a)   For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings: “ Tax ” (and, with correlative meaning, “ Taxes ” and “ Taxable ”) means (i) any levy, impost, net income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, environmental or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Entity (a “ Tax authority ”) responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign); (ii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable period; and (iii) any liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of being a transferee of or successor to any person, as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person, including pursuant to any Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement, as a result of being a responsible person, or otherwise. “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, election, statement, report or form (including, without limitation, claims for refunds or credits, estimated Tax returns and reports, withholding Tax returns and reports and information reports and returns) filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes.

 

(b)   (i) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries have been timely filed and all Tax Returns filed by or on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries were (at the time they were filed) and are true, correct and complete in all material respects; (ii) all Taxes of Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not reflected on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid, (iii) no waivers or extensions of statutes of limitation have been given or requested with respect to Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with any Tax Returns or with respect to any Taxes payable by it; (iv) no Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where Company or its Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns has made a claim, assertion or threat to Company or its Subsidiaries that it is or may be subject to taxation by such jurisdiction; (v) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely collected or withheld, and paid over and reported to the appropriate Governmental Entity all amounts required to be so collected or withheld and paid over for all periods under all applicable laws; (vi) there are no liens with respect to Taxes on the Company or its Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets; (vii) there are no Tax rulings, requests for rulings, or closing agreements relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries for any period (or portion of a period) that would affect any period after the date hereof; and (viii) any adjustment of Taxes of the Company or its Subsidiaries made by a Governmental Entity in any examination that the Company or its Subsidiaries is required to report to the appropriate Tax Authority has been reported, and any additional Taxes due with respect thereto have been paid.

 

(c)   There is no pending Proceeding with respect to any Taxes of the Company or its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is any such Proceeding threatened. The Company has made available to the Parent prior to the date of this Agreement, true, correct and complete copies of all Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies

 

 

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assessed or asserted against or agreed to by the Company or its Subsidiaries since their inception and any and all correspondence with respect to the foregoing.

 

(d)   Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.15(e) , neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement.

 

(e)   The Company is treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

3.16   Employee Benefit Plans . The Company does not maintain and has not maintained any employee compensation, incentive, fringe or benefit plans, programs, policies, commitments or other arrangements (whether or not set forth in a written document) covering any active or former employee, director or consultant of Company, or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control with Company, with respect to which the Company has or would reasonably be expected to have liability. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any shareholder, director or employee of the Company.

 

3.17   Labor Matters . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.17 , (a) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract applicable to persons employed by the Company or any Subsidiary; (b) the Company and each Subsidiary are currently in compliance in all material respects will all applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including those related to wages, hours, collective bargaining and the payment and withholding of Taxes and other sums as required by the appropriate governmental authority; (c) there is no claim with respect to payment of wages, salary or overtime pay that has been asserted or is now pending or threatened before any Governmental Authority with respect to any Person currently or formerly employed by the Company or any Subsidiary; and (d) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise bound by, any consent decree with, or citation by, and Governmental Authority relating to employees or employment practices.

 

3.18   Interested Party Transactions . Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is indebted to any director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except for amounts due as normal salaries and bonuses and in reimbursement of ordinary expenses), and no such person is indebted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and there are no other transactions of the type required to be disclosed pursuant to Items 402 or 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”).

 

3.19   Insurance . Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries maintain any insurance policies on their respective properties or assets.

 

3.20   Material Company Contracts .

 

(a)   The Company has made available to the Parent, prior to the date of this Agreement, true, correct and complete copies of each written agreement, contract, arrangement, lease, commitment or otherwise of the type set forth below (each, a “ Material Company

 

 

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Contract ”), including each amendment, supplement and modification relating thereto to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party.

 

(i)   each contract, agreement, invoice, and other arrangement, for the furnishing of services to, or the sale of property to, the Company or any Subsidiary under the terms of which the Company or any Subsidiary: (A) is likely to pay or otherwise give consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate during the calendar year ended December 31, 2008, (B) is likely to pay or otherwise give consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate over the remaining term of such contract, or (C) cannot be cancelled by the Company or any Subsidiary without penalty or further payment and without more than 30 days’ notice;

 

(ii)   each contract, agreement, invoice, and other arrangement for the furnishing of services by the Company or any Subsidiary that: (A) is likely to involve consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate during the calendar year ending December 31, 2008, (B) is likely to involve consideration of more than $750,000 in the aggregate over the remaining term of the contract, or (C) cannot be cancelled by the Company or any Subsidiary without penalty or further payment and without more than 30 days’ notice;

 

(iii)   all agreements or letters of intent relating to the acquisition of any business enterprise whether by acquisition of stock, acquisition of assets, joint venture or merger or other form of business combination;

 

(iv)   all broker, distributor, dealer, manufacturer’s representative, franchise, agency, sales promotion, market research, marketing, consulting and advertising contracts and agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party;

 

(v)   all management contracts and contracts with independent contractors or consultants (or similar arrangements) to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party and which cannot be cancelled by the Company or any Subsidiary without penalty or further payment and without more than 30 days’ notice;

 

(vi)   all contracts and agreements relating to indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $150,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate;

 

(vii)   all contracts and agreements with any Governmental Authority to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party;

 

(viii)   all contracts and agreements that limit or purport to limit the ability of any Principal Shareholder, the Company or any Subsidiary to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area or during any period of time;

 

(ix)   all contracts and agreements between or among the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and the Principal Shareholders or any affiliate thereof, on the other hand;

 

(x)   any material lease pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary leases any material real property;

 

 

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(xi)   any shareholder agreement, registration rights agreement, voting agreement or other agreement governing the rights of the holders of any equity security issued by the Company or any Subsidiary; and

 

(xii)   all other contracts and agreements, whether or not made in the ordinary course of business, which are material to the Company or any Subsidiary or the conduct of their business, or the absence of which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)   Each Material Company Contract is a legal, valid and binding agreement, and is in full force and effect, and (a) none of the Company nor its Subsidiaries is in breach or defa


 
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