General Red International, Inc.: Exhibit 10.5



  



 


Exhibit 10.5

 


OPTION AGREEMENT   

 


This Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of August 08, 2008 between and among General Red International, Inc, a Texas corporation (“General Red”), and Xingguo General Red Navel Orange Preservation Company, Ltd (“Xingguo”), a limited liability company organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China  (“PRC”), and each of the shareholders of Xingguo listed on Appendix 1 (“Shareholders”). General Red, Xingguo, and Shareholders are collectively referred to in this Agreement as the “Parties.”


and each of them is referred to as a “Party.”

 


RECITALS


A. 


The Shareholders are shareholders of Xingguo. The Shareholders collectively own
more than 50% of the outstanding equity interest in Xingguo (each, an "Equity
Interest" and collectively the "Equity Interest"); 

B. 

A
series of agreements such as the Consultation Agreement (the "Consultation
Agreement") have been entered into between General Red and Xingguo
concurrently with this Agreement; 

C. 


An Share Pledge Agreement (the "Share Pledge Agreement") has been entered
into by the Parties concurrently herewith; 

D. 


The Parties are entering into this Option Agreement in conjunction with the
Pledge Agreement, Consultation Agreement and related agreements. 


NOW, THEREFORE, the
Parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows: 

1.



Option Grant 

1.1 


Grant of Rights. The Shareholders (hereafter collectively referred to as
the "Transferor") hereby irrevocably grants to General Red an option to
purchase or cause any person designated by General Red ("Designated Persons")
to purchase, to the extent permitted under PRC Law, according to the steps
determined by General Red, at the price specified in Section 1.3 of this
Agreement, at any time from the Transferor a portion or all of the equity
interests held by Transferor in Xingguo (the "Option"). No option or
similar right shall be granted by Transferor to any third party other than
General Red and/or the Designated Persons. Xingguo hereby agrees to the granting
of the Option by The Shareholders to General Red and/or the Designated Persons.
The "person" set forth in this clause and this Agreement means an individual,
corporation, joint venture, partnership, enterprise, trust or a non-corporation
organization. 

1.2 


Exercise of Rights. According to the stipulations of PRC laws and
regulations, General Red and/or the Designated Persons may exercise Option by
issuing a written notice (the "Notice") to the Transferor and specifying
the equity interest purchased from Transferor (the "Purchased Equity Interest")
and the manner of purchase. 




1.3 


Purchase Price. 

1.3.1 


For General Red to exercise the Option, the purchase price of the Purchased
Equity Interest ("Purchase Price") shall be equal to the original paid-in
price of the Purchased Equity Interest by the Transferor, unless the applicable
PRC laws and regulations require appraisal of the equity interests or stipulate
other restrictions on the purchase price of equity interests. 

1.3.2 


If the applicable PRC laws require appraisal of the equity interests or
stipulates other restrictions on the purchase price of the Equity Interest at
the time that General Red exercise the Option, the Parties agree that the
Purchase Price shall be set at the lowest price permissible under the applicable
laws. 

1.4 


Transfer of the Purchased Equity Interest. Upon each exercise of the
Option rights under this Agreement: 

1.4.1 


Xingguo shall convene a shareholders' meeting upon request by the Transferor,
and Transferor agrees to call such meeting. During the meeting, resolutions
shall be proposed, approving the transfer of the appropriate Equity Interest to
General Red and/or the Designated Persons; 

1.4.2 


The Transferor shall, upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
Notice related to the Purchased Equity Interest, enter into Equity Interest
purchase agreement in a form reasonably acceptable to General Red, with General
Red and/or the Designated Persons (as applicable); 

1.4.3 


The related parties shall execute all other requisite contracts, agreements or
documents, obtain all requisite approval and consent of the government, conduct
all necessary actions, without any security interest, transfer the valid
ownership of the Purchased Equity Interest to General Red and/or the Designated
Persons, and cause General Red and/or the Designated Persons to be the
registered owner of the Purchased Equity Interest. In this clause and this
Agreement, "Security Interest" means any mortgage, pledge, the right or
interest of the third party, any purchase right of equity interest, right of
acquisition, right of first refusal, right of set-off, ownership detainment or
other security arrangements, however, it does not include any security interest
created under the Share Pledge Agreement. 

1.5 


Payment. The payment of the Purchase Price shall be determined by the
consultation of General Red and/or the Designated Persons with the Transferor
according to the applicable laws at the time of exercise of the Option. 





2.



Promises Relating Equity Interest.



2.1 

Promises Related
to Xingguo. Xingguo, the Shareholders hereby promise: 

2.1.1 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not, in any form, to supplement,
change or renew the Articles of Association of Xingguo, to increase or decrease
registered capital of the corporation, or to change the structure of the
registered capital in any other forms; 

2.1.2 


According to customary fiduciary standards applicable to managers with respect
to corporations and their shareholders, to maintain the existence of the
corporation, prudently and effectively operate the business; 

2.1.3 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not, upon the execution of this
Agreement, to sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose, in any other form, any asset,
legitimate or beneficial interest of business or income of Xingguo, or encumber
or approve any encumbrance or imposition of any security interest on General
Red's assets; 

2.1.4 


Without prior written notice by General Red, not issue or provide any guarantee
or permit the existence of any debt, other than (i) the debt arising from normal
or daily business but not from borrowing; and (ii) the debt disclosed to General
Red and obtained the written consent from General Red; 

2.1.5 


To normally operate all business to maintain the asset value of Xingguo, without
taking any action or failing to take any action that would result in a material
adverse effect on the business or asset value of Xingguo; 

2.1.6 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not to enter into any material
agreement, other than agreements in the ordinary course of business (for
purposes of this paragraph, if the amount of the Agreement involves an amount
that exceeds a hundred thousand Yuan (RMB 100,000) the agreement shall be deemed
material); 

2.1.7 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not to provide loan or credit loan
to any others; 

2.1.8 


Upon the request of General Red, to provide all materials of operation and
finance relevant to Xingguo to the extent they are in possession of such
materials; 

2.1.9 


Purchase and hold insurance from an insurance company acceptable to General Red,
and the insurance amount and category shall be the same with those held by the
companies in the same industry or field, operating the similar business and
owning the similar properties and assets as Xingguo; 

2.1.10 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not to cause Xingguo to merge or
associate with any person, or acquire or invest in any person; 




2.1.11 


To notify General Red of the occurrence or the potential occurrence of the
litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the assets,
business and income of Xingguo; 

2.1.12 


To cause Xingguo to maintain and preserve its assets, and to execute all
requisite or appropriate documents, take all requisite or appropriate actions,
and pursue all appropriate claims, or make requisite or appropriate pleas for
all claims; 

2.1.13 


Without prior written notice by General Red, not to assign equity interests to
shareholders in any form; however, General Red shall distribute all or part of
its distributable profits to their own shareholders upon request by General Red;


2.1.14 


According to the request of General Red, to appoint any person designated by
General Red to be the directors of Xingguo. 


2.2 

Promises Related
to Transferor. The Shareholders hereby promise: 

2.2.1 


Without prior written consent by General Red, not, upon the execution of this
Agreement, to sell, transfer, mortgage or dispose in any other form any
legitimate or beneficial interest of equity interest, or to approve any other
security interest set on it, with the exception of the pledge set on the equity
interest of the Transferor subject to Share Pledge Agreement; 

2.2.2 


Without the prior written notice by General Red, not to decide or support or
execute any shareholder resolution at any shareholder meeting of Xingguo that
approves any sale, transfer, mortgage or dispose of any legitimate or beneficial
interest of equity interest, or allows any other security interest set on it,
other than the pledge on the equity interests of Transferor pursuant to Share
Pledge Agreement; 

2.2.3 


Without prior written notice by General Red, theParties shall not agree or
support or execute any shareholder resolution at any shareholder meeting of
Xingguo that approves Xingguo's merger or association with any person,
acquisition of any person or investment in any person; 

2.2.4 


To notify General Red the occurrence or the potential occurrence of the
litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure related to the equity
interest owned by them; 

2.2.5 


To cause the Board of Directors of Xingguo to approve the transfer of the
Purchased Equity Interest subject to this Agreement; 

2.2.6 


In order to keep its ownership of the equity interest, to execute all requisite
or appropriate documents, conduct all requisite or appropriate actions, and make
all requisite or appropriate claims, or make requisite or appropriate defend
against fall claims of compensation; 




2.2.7 


Upon the request of General Red, to appoint any person designated by General Red
to be the directors of Xingguo; 

2.2.8 


Upon the request of General Red at any time, to transfer its Equity Interest
immediately to the representative designated by General Red unconditionally at
any time and abandon its prior right of first refusal of such equity interest
transferring to another available shareholder; 

2.2.9 


To prudently comply with the provisions of this Agreement and other Agreements
entered into collectively or respectively by the Transferor, Xingguo and General
Red and perform all obligations under these Agreements, without taking any
action or any nonfeasance that sufficiently affects the validity and
enforceability of these Agreements; 

3. 


Representations and Warranties. As of the execution date of this
Agreement and every transferring date, Xingguo, the Shareholders hereby jointly
and severally represent and warrant collectively and respectively to General Red
as follows: 

3.1 


It has the power and ability to enter into and deliver this Agreement, and any
equity interest transferring Agreement ("Transferring Agreement,"
respectively) having it as a party, for every single transfer of the Purchased
Equity Interest according to this Agreement, and to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement. Upon execution, this
Agreement and the Transferring Agreements having it as a party will constitute a
legal, valid and binding obligation of it enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms; 

3.2 


To its knowledge and without independent verification, the execution, delivery
of this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement and performance of the
obligations under this Agreement and any Transferring Agreement will not: (i)
cause to violate any relevant laws and regulations of PRC; (ii) constitute a
conflict with its Articles of Association or other organizational documents (if
an entity); (iii) cause to breach any Agreement or instruments to which it is a
party or having binding obligation on it, or constitute the breach under any
Agreement or instruments to which it is a party or having binding obligation on
it; (iv) cause to violate relevant authorization of any consent or approval to
it and/or any continuing valid condition; or (v) cause any consent or approval
authorized to it to be suspended, removed, or into which other requests be
added; 

3.3 


The shares of Xingguo are transferable, and Xingguo has not permitted or caused
any security interest to be imposed upon the shares of Xingguo. 

3.4 


Xingguo does not have any unpaid debt, other than (i) debt arising from its
normal business; and (ii) debt disclosed to General Red and obtained by written
consent of General Red; 




3.5 


Xingguo has complied with all PRC laws and regulations applicable to the
acquisition of assets and securities in connection with this Agreement; 


3.6 


No litigation, arbitration or administrative procedure relevant to the Equity
Interests and assets of Xingguo or Xingguo itself is in process or to be settled
and the Parties have no knowledge of any pending or threatened claim; 


3.7 


The Transferor bears the fair and salable ownership of its Equity Interest free
of encumbrances of any kind, other than the security interest pursuant to the
Share Pledge Agreement. 

4. 


Assignment of Agreement 

4.1 


Xingguo, the Shareholders shall not transfer their rights and obligations under
this Agreement to any third party without the prior written consent of the
General Red. 

4.2 


Xingguo, the Shareholders hereby agree that General Red shall be able to
transfer all of its rights and obligation under this Agreement to any third
party with its needs, and such transfer shall only be subject to a written
notice sent to Xingguo, the Shareholders by General Red, and no any further
consent from Xingguo, the Shareholders will be required. 

5. 


Effective Date and Term 

5.1 


This Agreement shall be effective as of the date first set forth above. 


5.2 


The term of this Agreement is twenty (20) years unless the early termination in
accordance with this Agreement or other terms of the relevant agreements
stipulated by the Parties. This Agreement may be extended according to the
written consent of General Red before the expiration of this Agreement. The term
of extension will be decided unanimously through mutual agreement of the
Parties. 

5.3 


If General Red or Xingguo terminates by the expiration of itsoperating period
(including any extended period) or other causes in the term set forth in Section
5.2, this Agreement shall be terminated simultaneously, except General Red has
transferred its rights and obligations in accordance with Section 4.2 of this
Agreement. 

6. 


Applicable Law and Dispute Resolution 

6.1 


Applicable Law. The execution, validity, construing and performance of
this Agreement and the resolution of disputes under this Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of PRC. 

6.2 


Dispute Resolution. The parties shall strive to settle any dispute
arising from the interpretation or performance in connection with this Agreement
through friendly consultation. In case no settlement can be reached through
consultation within thirty (30) days after such dispute is raised, each party
can submit such matter to China International Economic and Trade Arbitration
Commission (the "CIETAC") in accordance with its rules. Arbitration shall
take place in Beijing and the proceedings shall be conducted in Chinese. Any
resulting arbitration award shall be final conclusive and binding upon both
parties. 




7. 


Taxes and Expenses. Each Party shall, according to the PRC laws, bear any
and all registering taxes, costs and expenses for equity transfer arising from
the preparation and execution of this Agreement and all Transferring Agreements,
and the completion of the transactions under this Agreement and all Transferring
Agreements. 

8. 


Notices. Notices or other communications required to be given by any
party pursuant to this Agreement shall be written in English and Chinese and
delivered personally or sent by registered mail or postage prepaid mail or by a
recognized courier service or by facsimile transmission to the address of
relevant each party or both parties set forth below or other address of the
party or of the other addressees specified by such party from time to time. The
date when the notice is deemed to be duly served shall be determined as the
follows: (a) a notice delivered personally is deemed duly served upon the
delivery; (b) a notice sent by mail is deemed duly served the tenth (10th)
day after the date when the air registered mail with postage prepaid has been
sent out (as is shown on the postmark), or the fourth (4th) day after
the delivery date to the internationally recognized courier service agency; and
(c) a notice sent by facsimile transmission is deemed duly served upon the
receipt time as is shown on the transmission confirmation of relevant documents.


9. 


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

9.1 


The materials that is known or may be known by the general public (but not
include the materials disclosed by each party receiving the materials); 


9.2 


The materials required to be disclosed subject to the applicable laws or the
rules or provisions of stock exchange; or 

9.3 


The materials disclosed by each Party to its legal or financial consultant
relating the transaction of this Agreement, and this legal or financial
consultant shall comply with the confidentiality set forth in this Section. The
disclosure of the confidential materials by staff or employed institution of any
Party shall be deemed as the disclosure of such materials by such Party, and
such Party shall bear the liabilities for breaching the contract. This clause
shall survive whatever this Agreement is invalid, amended, revoked, terminated
or unable to implement by any reason. 

10. 


Further Warranties. The Parties agree to promptly execute documents
reasonably required to perform the provisions and the aim of this Agreement or
documents beneficial to it, and to take actions reasonably required to perform
the provisions and the aim of this Agreement or actions beneficial to it. 





11. 


Miscellaneous. 

11.1


Amendment, Modification and Supplement. Any amendment and supplement to
this Agreement shall only be effective is made by the Parties in writing. 


11.2


Entire Agreement. Notwithstanding the Article 5 of this Agreement, the
Parties acknowledge that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
Parties with respect to the subject matters therein and supercede and replace
all prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings in verb or/and in
writing. 

11.3


Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is judged as invalid or
non-enforceable according to relevant Laws, the provision shall be deemed
invalid only within the applicable laws and regulations of the PRC, and the
validity, legality and enforceability of the other provisions hereof shall not
be affected or impaired in any way. The Parties shall, through fairly
consultation, replace those invalid, illegal or non-enforceable provisions with
valid provisions that may bring the similar economic effects with the effects
caused by those invalid, illegal or non-enforceable provisions. 

11.4


Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for the
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation,
explanation or in any other way the meaning of the provisions of this Agreement.


11.5


Language and Copies. This Agreement has been executed in Chinese in
duplicate originals; each Party holds one (1) original and each duplicate
original shall have the same legal effect. 

11.6


Successor. This Agreement shall bind and benefit the successor of each
party and the transferee allowed by each Party. 

11.7


Survival. Any obligation taking place or at term hereof prior to the end
or termination ahead of the end of this Agreement shall continue in force and
effect notwithstanding the occurrence of the end or termination ahead of the end
of the Agreement. Article 6, Article 8, Article 9 and Section 11.7 hereof shall
continue in force and effect after the termination of this Agreement. 


11.8


Waiver. Any Party may waive the terms and conditions of this Agreement in
writing with the signature of the Parties. Any waiver by a Party to the breach
by other Parties within certain situation shall not be construed as a waiver to
any similar breach by other Parties within other situations. 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereof have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly
authorized representatives as of the date first written above. 



	 	 	 
	GENERAL RED:
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
    By: /s/	
    Xingping Hou	 
	 	
    Xingping Hou	 
	 	 	 
	President, Chairman of
    the Board
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	XINGGUO:
	 	 	 
	
    By: /s/	
    Xingguo General Red Navel Orange
    Preservation Company, Ltd.	 
	 	
    Xingguo General Red Navel Orange
    Preservation Company, Ltd.	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	SHAREHOLDERS:
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
    [SIGNATURES PAGES FOR SHAREHOLDERS
    FOLLOWS]
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
    By: /s/	
    Xingping Hou	 
	 	
    Xingping Hou	 
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
    By: /s/ 	
    Xingguo General Fruits Development
    Company, Ltd.	 
	 	
    Xingguo General Fruits Development
    Company, Ltd.