QUHUO Ltd 6-K, filed Dec 19, 2025
QUHUO Ltd (QH)
About this 6-K
QUHUO Ltd filed this 6-K on December 19, 2025.
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 December 2025
Commission File Number 001- 39354
Quhuo Limited
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
3F, Building A, Xin’anmen, No. 1 South Bank
Huihe South Street, Chaoyang District
Beijing, People’s Republic of China
+86 (10) 5923-6208
(Address of principal executive office)
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 ☐
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K
On December 11, 2025, Quhuo Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”), adopted the Quhuo Limited 2025 Share Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”), as approved and authorized by the board of directors of the Company, effective on December 11, 2025. In accordance with applicable home-country practice, the adoption of the 2025 Plan did not require shareholder approval. Under the 2025 Plan, the initial maximum aggregate number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares which may be issued under the 2025 Plan shall be (i) 990,000,000 Class A Shares and (ii) 1,200,000 Class B Shares. The 2025 Plan will expire on the tenth anniversary of the effective date. The 2025 Plan shall be administered by a committee of the Company’s board of directors. Upon the effectiveness of the 2025 Plan, the Quhuo Limited 2024 Share Incentive Plan (the “2024 Plan”) was terminated and replaced in its entirety, except that outstanding awards granted under the 2024 Plan shall remain in effect in accordance with their terms.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
This Report on Form 6-K, including all the exhibits hereto, is incorporated by reference into the registration statements on Form S-8 (File No. 333-248884) and Form F-3, as amended (File No. 333-273087 and File No. 333-281997) of Quhuo Limited and shall be a part thereof from the date on which this Report on Form 6-K is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit
Number |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Quhuo Limited 2025 Share Incentive Plan |
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
| Quhuo Limited | ||||
| Date: | December 19, 2025 | By: | /s/ Leslie Yu | |
| Name: | Leslie Yu | |||
| Title: | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | |||
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Exhibit 99.1
QUHUO LIMITED
2025 SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE
The purpose of the 2025 Share Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Quhuo Limited is to promote the success and enhance the value of Quhuo Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”), by linking the personal interests of the Directors, Employees, Consultants and other individuals as the Committee may authorize and approve, to those of the Company’s shareholders and, by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance, to generate superior returns to the Company’s shareholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of recipients of share incentives hereunder upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.
2.1 “Applicable Laws” means the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax and other laws, rules, regulations and government orders, and the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents therein.
2.2 “Award” means an Option, Restricted Share, Restricted Share Unit or other types of awards approved by the Committee granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.
2.3 “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, entered into or issued by the Company. Each Award Agreement shall specify the number and class or classes of Shares (Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) subject to the Award.
2.4 “Award Pool” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).
2.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.6 “Cause” means (unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, or another applicable contract with the Participant that defines such term for purposes of determining the effect that a “for cause” termination has on the Participant’s Awards), based upon a finding by the Service Recipient, acting in good faith and based on its reasonable belief at the time:
(a) with respect to any Participant, such Participant’s: (i) dishonesty or serious misconduct, whether or not in connection with his/her employment or service; willful disobedience or non-compliance with the terms of his/her employment, agency or consultancy contract with the Service Recipient or any lawful orders or instructions given by the Service Recipient or any policy of the Service Recipient, (ii) incompetence or negligence in the performance of his/her duties, (iii) in the conclusive opinion of the Committee, demonstrating a consistent behavior pattern that adversely affects his/her ability to perform his/her duties properly or the assets, business, reputation or branding of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or brings the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company into disrepute; (iv) breach of confidentiality, an unauthorized disclosure or use of inside information, customer lists, trade secrets or other confidential information, breach of non-solicitation and /or non-competition obligations, or unfair competition with, or otherwise acted intentionally in a manner injurious to the reputation, business or assets of, the Service Recipient; or (v) breach of any laws or regulations, whether or not in connection with his/her employment or service;
(b) where the Participant is an Employee, also means that the Participant has been guilty of misconduct, or has been convicted of any criminal offence involving his integrity or honesty or (if so determined by the Committee) on any other ground on which an employer would be entitled to summarily terminate his employment at common law or pursuant to any applicable laws or under the Participant’s employment agreement with the Service Recipient;
(c) where the Participant is a Director or Consultant, also means breach of contract with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the part of such Director or Consultant, or the Participant appears either to be unable to pay or have no reasonable prospect to be able to pay debts, or has become insolvent, or has made any arrangement (including a voluntary arrangement) or composition with his/her creditors generally, or ceases or threatens to cease to carry on his/her business, or is bankrupted, or has been convicted of any criminal offence involving integrity or honesty.
2.7 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 of the United States, as amended.
2.8 “Committee” means the Board or a committee of the Board described in Article 10.
2.9 “Consultant” means any consultant or adviser if: (a) the consultant or adviser renders bona fide services to a Service Recipient; (b) the services rendered by the consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (c) the consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with the Service Recipient to render such services.
2.10 “Corporate Transaction”, unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means any of the following transactions, provided, however, that the Committee shall determine under (d) and (e) whether multiple transactions are related, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive:
(a) an amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation or scheme of arrangement (i) in which the Company is not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of which is to change the jurisdiction in which the Company is incorporated or (ii) following which the holders of the voting securities of the Company do not continue to hold more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity;
(b) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(c) the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
(d) any reverse takeover or series of related transactions culminating in a reverse takeover (including, but not limited to, a tender offer followed by a reverse takeover) in which the Company is the surviving entity but (A) the Company’s equity securities issued and outstanding immediately prior to such takeover are converted or exchanged by virtue of the takeover into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise, or (B) in which securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such securities immediately prior to such takeover or the initial transaction culminating in such takeover, but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction; or
(e) acquisition in a single or series of related transactions by any person or related group of persons (other than the Company or by a Company-sponsored employee benefit plan) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding securities but excluding any such transaction or series of related transactions that the Committee determines shall not be a Corporate Transaction.
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2.11 “Director” means a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of any Subsidiary of the Company.
2.12 “Disability”, unless otherwise defined in an Award Agreement, means that the Participant qualifies to receive long-term disability payments under the Service Recipient’s long-term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time to time, to which the Participant provides services regardless of whether the Participant is covered by such policy. If the Service Recipient to which the Participant provides service does not have a long-term disability plan in place, “Disability” means that a Participant is unable to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position held by the Participant by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment for a period of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days. A Participant will not be considered to have incurred a Disability unless he or she furnishes proof of such impairment sufficient to satisfy the Committee in its discretion.
2.13 “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.1.
2.14 “Employee” means any person, including an officer or a member of the board of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, who is in the employment of a Service Recipient, subject to the control and direction of the Service Recipient as to both the work to be performed and the manner and method of performance. The payment of a director’s fee by a Service Recipient shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Service Recipient.
2.15 “Electronic Record” has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Act.
2.16 “Electronic Transactions Act” means the Electronic Transactions Law (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.
2.17 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of the United States, as amended.
2.18 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares determined as follows:
(a) If the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are listed on one or more established stock exchanges or national market systems, including without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on the principal exchange or system on which the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are listed (as determined by the Committee) on the date of determination (or, if no closing sales price or closing bid was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last trading date such closing sales price or closing bid was reported), as reported on the website maintained by such exchange or market system or such other source as the Committee deems reliable;
(b) If the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are regularly quoted on an automated quotation system (including the OTC Bulletin Board) or by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares as quoted on such system or by such securities dealer on the date of determination, but if selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Class A Share and/or Class B Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares on the date of determination (or, if no such prices were reported on that date, on the last date such prices were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or
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(c) In the absence of an established market for the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares of the type described in (a) and (b), above, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in its discretion by reference to (i) the placing price of the latest private placement of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares and the development of the Company’s business operations and the general economic and market conditions since such latest private placement, (ii) other third party transactions involving the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares and the development of the Company’s business operation and the general economic and market conditions since such transaction, (iii) an independent valuation of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares, or (iv) such other methodologies or information as the Committee determines to be indicative of and relevant to Fair Market Value.
2.19 “Group Entity” means the Company and Subsidiaries of the Company.
2.20 “Incentive Share Option” means an Option that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision thereto.
2.21 “Independent Director” means (i) if the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares or other securities representing the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are not listed on a stock exchange, a Director of the Company who is a Non-Employee Director; and (ii) if the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares or other securities representing the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are listed on one or more stock exchange, a Director of the Company who meets the independence standards under the applicable corporate governance rules of the stock exchange(s).
2.22 “Non-Employee Director” means a member of the Board who qualifies as a “Non-Employee Director” as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Board.
2.23 “Non-Qualified Share Option” means an Option that is not intended to be an Incentive Share Option.
2.24 “Option” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 5 of the Plan to purchase a specified number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares at a specified price during specified time periods. An Option may be either an Incentive Share Option or a Non-Qualified Share Option.
2.25 “Participant” means a person who, as a Director, Consultant or Employee, or other individuals as the Committee may authorize and approve, has been granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.
2.26 “Parent” means a parent corporation under Section 424(e) of the Code.
2.27 “Plan” means this 2025 Share Incentive Plan of Quhuo Limited, as it may be amended and/or restated from time to time.
2.28 “Related Entity” means any business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company, a Parent or Subsidiary of the Company holds a substantial ownership interest, directly or indirectly, or controls through contractual arrangements and consolidates the financial results according to applicable accounting standards, but which is not a Subsidiary and which the Board designates as a Related Entity for purposes of the Plan.
2.29 “Restricted Share” means a Class A Share or Class B Share awarded to a Participant pursuant to Article 6 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture.
2.30 “Restricted Share Unit” means the right granted to a Participant pursuant to Article 7 to receive a Class A Share or Class B Share at a future date.
2.31 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States, as amended.
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2.32 “Service Recipient” means the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, and any Related Entity to which a Participant provides services as an Employee, a Consultant, or a Director.
2.33 “Share” means, as applicable, (i) a Class A ordinary share of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share (“Class A Share”), or (ii) a Class B ordinary share of the Company, par value US$0.0001 per share (“Class B Share”), and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted for Shares pursuant to Article 9.
2.34 “Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting shares or voting power is beneficially owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.
2.35 “Trading Date” means the closing of the first sale to the general public of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares pursuant to a registration statement filed with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.
2.36 “Vesting Commencement Date” means the commencement date as provided in the Award Agreement used in calculating the schedule of Vesting, and subject to the Committee’s discretion, the Vesting Commencement Date can be the unified date as determined by the Committee, or specific dates as determined by the Committee for specific Participants.
2.37 “Written” and “in writing” include all modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form, including in the form of an Electronic Record. Any requirements as to delivery under this Plan include delivery in the form of an Electronic Record.
2.38 Any requirements as to execution or signature under this Plan or any Award including the execution of any Award can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transactions Act.
2.39 Sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Act shall not apply.
ARTICLE 3
SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
3.1 Number of Shares.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Article 9 and Section 3.1(b), the initial maximum aggregate number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards (including Incentive Share Options) under the Plan (the “Award Pool”) shall be (i) 990,000,000 Class A Shares and (ii) 1,200,000 Class B Shares. Assuming full issuance of the Shares available under the Award Pool, the Shares would represent approximately 20.79% of the Company’s issued and outstanding ordinary shares as of the date hereof.
(b) To the extent that an Award terminates, expires, or lapses for any reason, any Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares subject to the Award which have not been issued shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form or combination by a Group Entity shall not be counted against Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares available for grant pursuant to the Plan. Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares delivered by the Participant or withheld by the Company upon the exercise of any Award under the Plan, in payment of the exercise price thereof or tax withholding thereon, may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(a). If any Restricted Shares (being Class A and/or Class B Shares) are forfeited by the Participant or repurchased by the Company, such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded hereunder, subject to the limitations as set out in Section 3.1(a). Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Share Option to fail to qualify as an incentive share option under Section 422 of the Code.
3.2 Shares Distributed. Any Class A Share and/or Class B Share issuable or distributed pursuant to an Award may be issued or otherwise delivered, in whole or in part, by means of (i) the issuance of new Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares (out of the authorized and unissued share capital of the Company), (ii) the transfer of existing Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares which are held by the Company as treasury Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares (as defined in the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands) (subject to Applicable Laws), or (iii) any combination of the foregoing; and any reference hereto or in any Award Agreement to the “issue”, “delivery” or “distribution” of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares by the Company pursuant to an Award shall be deemed to include any such method of delivery. Additionally, at the discretion of the Committee, American Depositary Shares in an amount which represents the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares which otherwise would be distributed pursuant to an Award may be distributed in lieu of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares in settlement of any Award, and the distribution of such American Depositary Shares to the Participant shall be deemed to satisfy in full the Company’s obligations to deliver the relevant Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares under the Award. If the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares represented by an American Depositary Share is other than on a one-to-one basis, the limitations of Section 3.1 shall be adjusted to reflect the distribution of American Depositary Shares in lieu of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares.
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ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
4.1 Eligibility. Persons eligible to participate in this Plan include Employees, Consultants, and Directors, as determined by the Committee.
4.2 Participation. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, select from among all eligible individuals, those to whom Awards shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award. No individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to this Plan.
4.3 Jurisdictions. In order to assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in various jurisdictions, the Committee may 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, is employed, operates or is incorporated. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or 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 limitations contained in Section 3.1 of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate any Applicable Laws.
ARTICLE 5
OPTIONS
5.1 General. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:
(a) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share (whether a Class A Share or a Class B Share) subject to an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in the Award Agreement which may be a fixed or variable price related to the Fair Market Value of the Shares. The exercise price per Share (whether a Class A Share or a Class B Share) subject to an Option may be amended or adjusted in the absolute discretion of the Committee, the determination of which shall be final, binding and conclusive, provided that the exercise price per Share (whether a Class A Share or a Class B Share) shall not in any circumstances be less than the par value of the Share (whether a Class A Share or a Class B Share). For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Laws or any exchange rule, a downward adjustment of the exercise prices of Options mentioned in the preceding sentence shall be effective without the approval of the Company’s shareholders or the approval of the affected Participants. No adjustment shall be made to the exercise price of Options if it will result in the exercise price falling below the then par value of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares.
(b) Time and Conditions of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, including exercise prior to vesting; provided that the term of any Option granted under the Plan shall not exceed ten years, except as provided in Section 12.1. The Committee shall also determine any conditions, if any, that must be satisfied before all or part of an Option may be exercised.
(c) Payment. The Committee shall determine the methods by which the exercise price of an Option may be paid, the form of payment, including, without limitation (i) cash or check denominated in U.S. Dollars, (ii) to the extent permissible under the Applicable Laws, cash or check in Chinese Renminbi, (iii) cash or check denominated in any other local currency as approved by the Committee, (iv) a repurchase by the Company of such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares held by the Participant for such period of time as may be required by the Committee in order to avoid adverse financial accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof for a repurchase price that equals the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof and the utilization of the repurchase price as the payment of the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof, (v) after the Trading Date the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, (vi) other property acceptable to the Committee with a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price, or (vii) any combination of the foregoing. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant who is a member of the Board or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to pay the exercise price of an Option in any method which would violate Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.
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(d) Evidence of Grant. All Options shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Company and the Participant. The Award Agreement shall include such additional provisions as may be specified by the Committee.
(e) Effects of Termination of Employment or Service on Options. Termination of employment or service shall have the following effects on Options granted to the Participants:
(i) Dismissal for Cause. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or with prior written approval from the Committee, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient is terminated by the Service Recipient for Cause, the Participant’s Options will terminate upon such termination, whether or not the Option is then vested and/or exercisable;
(ii) Retirement, Death or Disability. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates as a result of the Participant’s retirement, death or Disability:
| (a) | the Participant (or his or her legal representative or beneficiary, in the case of the Participant’s Disability or death or retirement, respectively), will have until the date that is six months after the Participant’s termination of Employment or service to exercise the Participant’s Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service on account of death or Disability or retirement; |
| (b) | the Options, to the extent not vested on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Employment or service on account of death or Disability or retirement; and |
| (c) | the Options, to the extent exercisable for the six-month period following the Participant’s termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last business day of the six-month period. |
(iii) Other Terminations of Employment or Service. Unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, if a Participant’s employment by or service to the Service Recipient terminates for any reason other than a termination by the Service Recipient for Cause or because of the Participant’s death or Disability or retirement, such as, termination due to expiration of employment, resignation without Cause, or reallocation of the Participants’ duties by the Company:
| (a) | the Participant will have until the date that is 90 days after the Participant’s termination of Employment or service to exercise his or her Options (or portion thereof) to the extent that such Options were vested and exercisable on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service; |
| (b) | the Options, to the extent not vested on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment or service, shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Employment or service; and |
| (c) | the Options, to the extent exercisable for the 90-day period following the Participant’s termination of Employment or service and not exercised during such period, shall terminate at the close of business on the last business day of the 90-day period. |
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5.2 Incentive Share Options. Incentive Share Options may be granted to Employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary of the Company. Incentive Share Options may not be granted to Employees of a Related Entity or to Independent Directors or Consultants. The terms of any Incentive Share Options granted pursuant to the Plan, in addition to the requirements of Section 5.1, must comply with the following additional provisions of this Section 5.2:
(a) Individual Dollar Limitation. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares with respect to which Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000 or such other limitation as imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code, or any successor provision. To the extent that Incentive Share Options are first exercisable by a Participant in excess of such limitation, the excess shall be considered Non-Qualified Share Options.
(b) Exercise Price. The exercise price of an Incentive Share Option shall be equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant, which shall not be less than the par value of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares issued. However, the exercise price of any Incentive Share Option granted to any individual who, at the date of grant, owns Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company may not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant and such Option may not be exercisable for more than five years from the date of grant.
(c) Transfer Restriction. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Share Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Share Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares to the Participant.
(d) Expiration of Incentive Share Options. No Award of an Incentive Share Option may be made pursuant to this Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
(e) Right to Exercise. During a Participant’s lifetime, an Incentive Share Option may be exercised only by the Participant.
ARTICLE 6
RESTRICTED SHARES
6.1 Grant of Restricted Shares. The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) to be granted to each Participant.
6.2 Restricted Shares Award Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the period of restriction, the number of Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine. Each Restricted Share Award Agreement shall specify the number and class or classes of Restricted Shares (Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) granted thereunder. Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) shall be delivered to Participants when appropriate entries are made in the register of members of the Company to record such Participants as the holder of such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares, but such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, repurchase rights, and such other terms and conditions as are set out in Section 6.3 or as may otherwise be specified by the Committee, until the vesting conditions have been satisfied and the Restricted Shares are vested. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the share certificates representing Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) shall be held by the Company as escrow agent until the restrictions on such Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) have lapsed.
6.3 Issuance and Restrictions. Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) or the right to receive dividends on the Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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.
6.4 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 (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited or repurchased by the Company in accordance with the Award Agreement; provided, however, the Committee may (a) provide in any Restricted Share Award Agreement that restrictions or forfeiture and repurchase conditions relating to Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares). Where any such Restricted Share (being a Class A Share or Class B Share) is stated herein or in the Restricted Share Award Agreement to be “forfeited” or subject to “forfeiture”, such forfeiture shall be effected by means of the Participant surrendering (and each Participant hereby irrevocably agrees to surrender) such Restricted Share (being a Class A Share or Class B Share) to the Company for no consideration.
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6.5 Certificates for Restricted Shares. Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 (being Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares), and the Company may, at its discretion, retain physical possession of the certificate until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.
6.6 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, the share certificate(s) representing Restricted Shares (being Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 6.5 removed from his or her Share certificate, and the Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares from escrow and the removal of legends, as necessary or appropriate to minimize administrative burdens on the Company.
ARTICLE 7
RESTRICTED SHARE UNITS
7.1 Grant of Restricted Share Units. The Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Share Units with respect to Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares 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.
7.2 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. Each Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement shall specify the number and class or classes of Shares (Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) underlying the Restricted Share Units.
7.3 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 authorize the Company to pay Restricted Share Units in the form of cash, Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares or a combination thereof.
7.4 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 Restricted Share Unit 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.
ARTICLE 8
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS
8.1 Award Agreement. Awards under the Plan shall be evidenced by Award Agreements that set forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each Award which may include the term of an Award, the provisions applicable in the event the Participant’s employment or service terminates, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award.
8.2 No Transferability; Limited Exception to Transfer Restrictions.
8.2.1 Limits on Transfer. Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 8.2, by applicable law and by the Award Agreement, as the same may be amended:
(a) all Awards are non-transferable and will not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge;
(b) Awards will be exercised only by the Participant; and
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(c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an Award will be delivered only to (or for the account of), and, in the case of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares, registered in the name of, the Participant.
In addition, the shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.
8.2.2 Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer. The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 8.2.1 will not apply to:
(a) transfers to the Company or a Subsidiary;
(b) transfers by gift to “immediate family” as that term is defined in SEC Rule 16a-1(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act;
(c) the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits if the Participant dies or, if the Participant has died, transfers to or exercises by the Participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution; or
(d) if the Participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the Participant by the Participant’s duly authorized legal representative; or
(e) subject to the prior approval of the Committee or an executive officer or director of the Company authorized by the Committee, transfer to one or more natural persons who are the Participant’s family members or entities owned and controlled by the Participant and/or the Participant’s family members, including but not limited to trusts or other entities whose beneficiaries or beneficial owners are the Participant and/or the Participant’s family members, or to such other persons or entities as may be expressly approved by the Committee, pursuant to such conditions and procedures as the Committee may establish. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to the condition that the Committee receives evidence satisfactory to it that the transfer is being made for estate and/or tax planning purposes and on a basis consistent with the Company’s lawful issue of securities.
Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 8.2.2 to the contrary, but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, Incentive Share Options, Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units will be subject to any and all transfer restrictions under the Code applicable to such Awards or necessary to maintain the intended tax consequences of such Awards. Notwithstanding clause (b) above but subject to compliance with all Applicable Laws, any contemplated transfer by gift to “immediate family” as referenced in clause (b) above is subject to the condition precedent that the transfer be approved by the Committee in order for it to be effective.
8.3 Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding Section 8.2, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Committee, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Participant’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to the Participant, except to the extent the Plan and Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, and there is a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award, the designation of such portion of the Participant’s interest exceeding 50% shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse, while the designation of such portion of the Participant’s interest of up to 50% shall remain effective. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Committee.
8.4 Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Committee, in its discretion, shall set performance objectives or other vesting criteria which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of the Awards that will be granted or paid out to the Participants.
8.5 Share Certificates. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates evidencing the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance and delivery of such certificates is in compliance with all Applicable Laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any exchange on which the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are listed or traded. All Class A Share and/or Class B Share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with all Applicable Laws, and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any Class A Share or Class B Share certificate to reference restrictions applicable to the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the discretion of the Committee.
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8.6 Paperless Administration. Subject to Applicable Laws, the Committee may make Awards, provide applicable disclosure and procedures for exercise of Awards by an internet website or interactive voice response system for the paperless administration of Awards.
8.7 Foreign Currency. A Participant may be required to provide evidence that any currency used to pay the exercise price of any Award was acquired and taken out of the jurisdiction in which the Participant resides in accordance with Applicable Laws, including foreign exchange control laws and regulations. In the event the exercise price for an Award is paid in Chinese Renminbi or other foreign currency, as permitted by the Committee, the amount payable will be determined by conversion from U.S. dollars at the official rate promulgated by the People’s Bank of China for Chinese Renminbi, or for jurisdictions other than the People’s Republic of China, the exchange rate as selected by the Committee on the date of exercise.
ARTICLE 9
changes in capital structure
9.1 Adjustments. In the event of any dividend, share subdivision, combination or exchange of Shares, amalgamation, arrangement or consolidation, spin-off, recapitalization or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to its shareholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of a Class A Share or Class B Share, the Committee shall make such proportionate adjustments, if any, as the Committee in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1); (b) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (c) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan.
9.2 Corporate Transactions. Except as may otherwise be provided in any Award Agreement or any other written agreement entered into by and between the Company and a Participant, if the Committee anticipates the occurrence, or upon the occurrence, of a Corporate Transaction, the Committee may, in its sole discretion (without the need to seek approval from the Shareholders of the Company or the Participants, to the extent permitted by all Applicable Laws), provide for (i) any and all Awards outstanding hereunder to terminate at a specific time in the future and shall give each Participant the right to exercise the vested portion of such Awards during a period of time as the Committee shall determine, or (ii) the purchase of any Award for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of such date the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (iii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion or the assumption of or substitution of such Award by the successor or surviving corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares and prices, or (iv) payment of such Award in cash based on the value of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares on the date of the Corporate Transaction plus reasonable interest on the Award through the date as determined by the Committee when such Award would otherwise be vested or have been paid in accordance with its original terms, if necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
9.3 Outstanding Awards – Other Changes. In the event of any other change in the capitalization of the Company or corporate change other than those specifically referred to in this Article 9, the Committee may, in its absolute discretion, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares subject to Awards outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per share grant or exercise price of each Award as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.
9.4 No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Committee under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of any class, or securities convertible into shares of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award.
9.5 Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, each Award may be assumed or an equivalent stock option or right may be substituted by the successor corporation. Regardless of any occurrence of such substitution or assumption, the outstanding Award will immediately vest and, in the case of an Option, become exercisable for a limited period of time as determined by the Committee and the Option will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
ARTICLE 10
ADMINISTRATION
10.1 Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a committee comprising one or more Directors (the “Committee”) to whom the Board shall delegate the authority to grant or amend Awards to Participants other than any of the Committee members. Any grant or amendment of Awards to any Committee member shall then require an affirmative vote of a majority of the Board members who are not on the Committee.
10.2 Action by the Committee. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members of the Committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by a majority of the members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of a Group Entity, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.
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10.3 Authority of the Committee. Subject to any specific designation in the Plan, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and discretion (without the need to seek approval from the Shareholders of the Company or the Participants, to the extent permitted by all Applicable Laws) to:
(a) designate Participants to receive Awards;
(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;
(c) determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares to which an Award will relate;
(d) designate an administrator to administer the Awards to Participants other than Committee members, independent directors or executive officers of the Company, including designating Participants to receive Awards, determining the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant, and determining the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares to which an Award will relate;
(e) determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, or purchase price, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion determines;
(f) determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in, cash, Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;
(g) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;
(h) decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;
(i) establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;
(j) interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement;
(k) amend terms and conditions of Award Agreements; and
(l) make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan, including designing and adopting from time to time new types of Awards that are in compliance with Applicable Laws.
10.4 Decisions Binding. The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.
ARTICLE 11
EFFECTIVE AND EXPIRATION DATE
11.1 Effective Date. The Plan shall become effective as of the date on which the Board adopts the Plan or as otherwise specified by the Board when adopting the Plan (the “Effective Date”).
11.2 Expiration Date. The Plan will expire on, and no Award may be granted pursuant to the Plan after, the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Any Awards that are outstanding on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.
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ARTICLE 12
AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION, AND TERMINATION
12.1 Amendment, Modification, and Termination. At any time and from time to time, the Board may terminate, amend or modify the Plan; provided, however, that (a) to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws or stock exchange rules, the Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as required, unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, and (b) unless the Company decides to follow home country practice, shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the Plan that (i) increases the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares available under the Plan (other than any adjustment as provided by Article 9 or Section 3.1(a)), or (ii) permits the Committee to extend the term of the Plan or the exercise period for an Option beyond ten years from the date of grant.
12.2 Awards Previously Granted. Except with respect to amendments made pursuant to Section 12.1, no termination, amendment, or modification of the Plan shall adversely affect in any material way any Award previously granted pursuant to the Plan without the prior written consent of the Participant.
ARTICLE 13
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 No Rights to Awards. No Participant, employee, or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Committee is obligated to treat Participants, employees, and other persons uniformly.
13.2 No Shareholder Rights. No Award gives the Participant any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company unless and until Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares are in fact issued to and registered in the name of such person on the register of members of the Company as the holder of such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares in connection with such Award.
13.3 Taxes. No Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 Applicable Laws. The Company or any Subsidiary 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 all applicable taxes (including the Participant’s payroll tax obligations) required or permitted by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Participant arising as a result of this Plan. The Committee may in its discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement allow a Participant to elect to have the Company withhold Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the return of Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares) having a Fair Market Value equal to the sums required to be withheld. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares were acquired by the Participant from the Company) in order to satisfy any income and payroll tax liabilities applicable to the Participant 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 Class A Shares and/or Class B 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 the applicable income and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.
13.4 No Right to Employment or Services. Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Service Recipient to terminate any Participant’s employment or services at any time, nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employment or services of any Service Recipient.
13.5 Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the relevant Group Entity.
13.6 Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Laws, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
13.7 Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits pursuant to any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of any Group Entity except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.
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13.8 Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Group Entities.
13.9 Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.
13.10 Fractional Shares. No fractional Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares shall be issued and the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares or whether such fractional Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares shall be eliminated by rounding up or down as appropriate.
13.11 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by the Applicable Laws, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.
13.12 Government and Other Regulations. The obligation of the Company to make payment of awards in Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares or otherwise shall be subject to all Applicable Laws, and to such approvals by government agencies as may be required. The Company shall be under no obligation to register any of the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares paid pursuant to the Plan under the Securities Act or any other similar law in any applicable jurisdiction. If the Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares paid pursuant to the Plan may in certain circumstances be exempt from registration pursuant to the Securities Act or other Applicable Laws, the Company may restrict the transfer of such Class A Shares and/or Class B Shares in such manner as it deems advisable to ensure the availability of any such exemption.
13.13 Governing Law. The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Cayman Islands.
13.14 Third Parties – No Right to Enforce. A Person who is not a party to the Plan has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act (As Revised) to enforce any term of the Plan, save and except where any such right is granted under an Award Agreement.
13.15 Section 409A. To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is or may become subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulation or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related U.S. Department of Treasury guidance.
13.16 Appendices. Subject to Section 12.1, the Committee may approve such supplements, amendments or appendices to the Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for purposes of compliance with Applicable Laws or otherwise and such supplements, amendments or appendices shall be considered a part of the Plan; provided, however, that no such supplements shall increase the share limitation contained in Section 3.1 of the Plan without the approval of the Board.
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