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                                                               EXHIBIT 10.20(a)

CERTAIN INFORMATION IN THIS EXHIBIT HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.

                                 AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

                    TO THE CONTRACT AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

                  OF GUANGDONG UT STARCOM COMMUNICATIONS CO. LTD.

Party A: Guangdong South Communication Group Co., China

Party B: UT Starcom Inc., USA

     In accordance with the Laws of the People's Republic of China on Joint
ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment and the relevant regulations of
its Implementations, Party A and Party B enter into agreement to amend the
contract and articles of association as following:

Part One:   Party A and Party B enter into the following complementation
            agreement on the amendment of the relevant articles in the
            original contract of Guangdong UT Starcom Communication Co. Ltd:

1.   Article 5 in original contract "The Joint Venture Company produces,
     sells associated products of communication subscriber access network
     system, provides maintenance and service of products, studies and
     develops new products" is revised into "The Joint Venture Company
     designs, develops, assembles, produces, sells and installs hardware and
     software of system (including wireless access network and cable access
     network), optical terminal equipment, intelligence value-adding business,
     personal communication and multi-media, data and information network and
     other communication systems, and provides maintenance, repair, and
     technical consultation and services of its own products."

2.   Article 6.1 of the original contract "the total investment of the Joint
     Venture company is [*] and the registered capital is [*]. The investment
     of Party A is [*], accounting for 51% of the total investment and the
     investment of Party B is [*], accounting for 49% of the total
     investment. Party A contributes [*] to the registered capital,
     accounting for 51% and Party B contributed [*], accounting for 49% of
     the registered capital" is revised into "both the total investment and
     the registered capital are [*]. Party A's investment and contribution to
     the registered capital is [*] dollars, accounting for 49% of the total
     investment and registered capital. Party B's investment and contribution
     to registered capital is [*], accounting for 51% of the total investment
     and registered capital."

3.   Article 10.1 of the original contract "other matters shall be decided by
     majority's approval" is revised into "the holding of Board meetings
     requires the participation of four-fifths of Directors. Directors

[*] = CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.

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     may present appointment letters to instruct someone else to attend the
     meeting and vote on their parts. Except for matters which must be
     unanimously approved by Directors attending the Board meeting in
     accordance with the Laws of the People's Republic of China on Joint
     Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment, the drawing of the three
     types of funds of the Joint Venture Company and the profit distribution
     plans shall require the approval of four-fifths of the Directors who
     attend the Board meeting. Other matters shall be decided with the
     approval of one-seconds of the votes.''

4.   Article 11.2 "Deputy General Manager shall be nominated by General
     Manager and appointed by Board of Directors" is revised into "Deputy
     General Manager shall be nominated by Party A and appointed by Board of
     Directors."

5.   Article 11.3 is revised into "General Manager is responsible for the
     management organization of The Joint Venture Company and in charge of
     the implementation of the resolutions of Board of Directors and of the
     routine operation and management of the Joint Venture Company. Important
     matters shall be decided by General Manager and Deputy General Manager
     together. Deputy Manager shall assist the General Manager and shall take
     his or her place when he or she is unable to fulfill his or her duties."

     The duties of the General Manager:

(1). Formulating operation and management regulations and taking
     corresponding measures to ensure that the regulations shall be observed
     and carried out by all departments in accordance with the policies
     adopted by Board of Directors;

(2). Formulating and being responsible for every operation and management
     plan and ensure its execution;

(3). Organizing activities of the Joint Venture Company according to the
     rules and regulations of the Joint Venture Company;

(4). Achieving the financial plans of the Joint Venture Company in accordance
     with the operation plans approved by Board of Directors;

(5). Deciding the appointment and removals of other management staff and
     workers;

(6). Executing the annual operation plans ratified by Board of Directors;

(7). Regularly report the operation status to Board of Directors, including
     the forecast of future operation activity, important opportunities and
     existing market competition status;

(8). Being responsible for external affiliation, executing every documents of
     the Joint Venture Company and fulfilling other duties appointed by Board
     of Directors.

     The duties set by (1) and (6) shall be carried out together by General
     Manager and Deputy General Manager. In case the General Manager and
     Deputy General Manager fail to enter into agreement, the relevant
     matters shall be submitted to Board of Directors.

6.   Article 11.6 is revised into "General Manager and Deputy General Manager
     shall not hold the same positions in economic organizations besides
     Party A and Party B. The Directors, General Manager,

[*] = CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.

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     Deputy General Manager shall not participate in other economic
     organizations in competition with the Joint Venture Company."

7.   Article 16.2 "the termination before the end of the time limit of the
     Joint Venture Company or the Cancellation of the contract shall be
     approved unanimously by Board of Directors and shall be submitted to
     examination and approval authority for approval" is shifted after
     "unable to continue the operation" and "the Observant Party may apply
     for the approval of the original examination and approval authority to
     dismiss the Joint Venture Company or look for other joint venture
     partners to undertake the delinquent party's rights and obligations in
     the joint venture contract, and may also claim the delinquent party's
     not paying or not paying enough contributed capital in accordance with
     the laws" shall be added to the end of the article.

Part Two:   Party A and Party B enter into the following complementation
            agreement on the amendment of the relevant articles in the
            original articles of association of Guangdong UT Starcom
            Communication Co. Ltd:

1.   Article 5 of the original articles of association "The Joint Venture
     Company produces, sells associated products of communication subscriber
     access network system, provides maintenance and service of products,
     studies and develops new products" is revised into "The Joint Venture
     Company designs, develops, assembles, produces, sells and installs
     hardware and software of system (including wireless access network and
     cable access network), optical terminal equipment, intelligence
     value-adding business, personal communication and multi-media, data and
     information network and other communication systems, and provides
     maintenance, repair, and technical consultation and services of its own
     products."

2.   Article 10 of the original articles of association "the contribution of
     Party A and Party B is set below: Party A contributes [*], accounting
     for 51% of the registered capital and Party B contributes [*],
     accounting for 49% of the registered capital" is revised into "Party A
     contributes [*], accounting for 49% of the registered capital and Party
     B contributes [*], accounting for 51% of the registered capital."

3.   Article 30 of the original articles of association "the following matters
     shall have the approval of four-fifths of Directors of Board: the
     drawing of the three types of funds of the Joint Venture Company and
     the profit distribution plans. Other matters shall be decided by the
     majority's approval of the Directors" is revised into the following
     matters shall have the approval of four-fifths of Directors of Board:
     the drawing of the three types of funds of the Joint Venture Company and
     the profit distribution plans. Other matters shall be approved by
     one-second of the votes."

[*] = CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.

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4.   Article 32 "Deputy General Manager shall be nominated by General Manager
     and appointed by Board of Directors" is revised into "Deputy General
     Manager shall be nominated by Party A and appointed by Board of
     Directors."

5.   Article 33 is revised into "General Manager is responsible for the
     management organization of The Joint Venture Company and in charge of the
     implementation of the resolutions of Board of Directors and of the
     routine operation and management of the Joint Venture Company. Important
     matters shall be decided by General Manager and Deputy General Manager
     together. Deputy Manager shall assist the General Manager and shall take
     his or her place when he or she is unable to fulfill his or her duties."

     The duties of the General Manager:

     (1). Formulating operation and management regulations and taking
          corresponding measures to ensure that the regulations shall be
          observed and carried out by all departments in accordance with the
          policies adopted by Board of Directors;

     (2). Formulating and being responsible for every operation and management
          plan and ensure its execution;

     (3). Organizing activities of the Joint Venture Company according to the
          rules and regulations of the Joint Venture Company;

     (4). Achieving the financial plans of the Joint Venture Company in
          accordance with the operation plans approved by Board of Directors;

     (5). Deciding the appointment and removals of other management staff and
          workers;

     (6). Executing the annual operation plans ratified by Board of Directors;

     (7). Regularly report the operation status to Board of Directors,
          including the forecast of future operation activity, important
          opportunities and existing market competition status;

     (8). Being responsible for external affiliation, executing every
          documents of the Joint Venture Company and fulfilling other duties
          appointed by Board of Directors.

     The duties set by (1) and (6) shall be carried out together by General
     Manager and Deputy General Manager. In case the General Manager and
     Deputy General Manager fail to enter into agreement, the relevant
     matters shall be submitted to Board of Directors.

6.   Article 36 is revised into "General Manager and Deputy General Manager
     shall not hold the same positions in economic organizations besides
     Party A and Party B. The Directors, General Manager, Deputy General
     Manager shall not participate in other economic organizations in
     competition with the Joint Venture Company."

7.   Article 38 "the Accounts Regulations of the People's Republic of China
     on Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment" is revised into
     "the Accounts Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Foreign
     Investment Enterprises."

8.   Article 47 "the Detailed Implementation Rules of the Income Tax Law of
     the People's Republic of China on Joint Ventures Using Chinese and
     Foreign Investment" is revised in "the Detailed

[*] = CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.

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     Implementation Rules of the People's Republic of China on Foreign
     Investment Enterprises and Foreign Company."

9.   Article 48 "the Provisional Regulations of the People's Republic of
     China on Foreign Currency Administration" is revised into "the
     Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Foreign Currency
     Administration."

10.  Article 53 "the Labor Management Regulations of the People's Republic of
     China on Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment" is revised
     into "the Labor Management Regulations of the People's Republic of China
     on Foreign Investment Enterprises."

Part Three: Party A and Party B enter into agreement that the amendment of
     the original contracts and articles of association shall become
     effective after the approval and maintenance of the file of the relevant
     authorities concerned.

Part Four: This agreement is made out in duplicate. Each party shall hold one
     copy.

Party A:  Guangdong South Communication           Party B: UT Starcom Inc., USA
          Group Co., China

Representative:                                   Representative:

Date: December 11, 1997                           Date: December 11, 1997

[*] = CERTAIN INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE HAS BEEN OMITTED AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE COMMISSION. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WITH RESPECT
TO THE OMITTED PORTIONS.<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 10.34

                  LOAN AGREEMENT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE

Party A:   UTStarcom (China) Co., Inc.

Party B:   Bill X. Huang

       Whereas Party B is an employee of Party A, and Party A desires to
solve the said employee's practical problems, it is, therefore, that a loan
is hereby provided by Party A to Party B. For the sake of clarifying each
other's responsibilities and keeping their promises, the parties hereto agree
to the following with regard to the loan:

       Article 1:   Purpose of the Loan

       Due to his job transfer to Hangzhou, Party B needs to relocate his
family by purchasing a house and paying settlement allowance, but is lacking
in part of the necessary funds, therefore, Party B submits an application to
Party A for a loan whereas Party A is willing to provide such loan to Party B
for such purpose.

       Article 2:   Amount of the Loan

       Party B desires from Party A a loan of RMB One Million Three Hundred
Thousand ($1,300,000).

       Article 3:   Term and Interest of the Loan

       Party B shall pay off the total amount of the loan and its interest at
3%APR within ten (10) years.

       Article 4:   Methods of Payment

       Party B agrees to pay off the loan by the following methods:

       1. Party B agrees to pay at least one tenth (1/10) of the total amount
          of the loan every year, beginning from January, 1998.

       2. The total amount of interest arising from the principle may be paid
          onetime at the last installment of payment.

       Article 5:    Provisions of Guarantee

       1. Party B guarantees that he will work for Party A for at least five
          (5) years.

       2. Party B guarantees that the loan shall be paid off in a timely
          fashion and within the time schedule.

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       3. Party B guarantees that he shall keep confidential the contents of
          this Agreement and shall not disclose any of the said Agreement to
          any third party.

       4. Party B shall appropriate the loan in accordance with the terms of
          this Agreement providing for the use of such loan and shall not be
          allowed to use the loan it for any other purposes, or engaging in
          business or other activities in violation of the law.

       5. In case Party A requires Party B to provide guarantee, Party B
          shall provide such qualified guarantee; otherwise, Party A is
          entitled to recall the loan and demand that Party B pay the
          corresponding interest.

       Article 6:    Liability of Breach

       1. If Party B submits his resignation to leave the Company for
          personal reasons (including the firing of Party B by Party A due to
          his violation of the Company's rules and regulations or the harm he
          has caused to the Company's interests), he shall return all the loan
          and the interest of such loan at 6%APR prior to his departure from
          the Company.

       2. If, due to Party A's business and managerial needs, the labor
          relationship with Party B is severed, Party B shall make onetime
          payment for the unpaid loan and its interest.

       Article 7:

       This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by the parties
and be terminated when Party B pays off all the loan and its interest. This
Agreement is executed in two originals with Party A and B each in possession
of one copy.

       Party A:     UTStarcom (China) Co., Ltd.   Party B:      Bill X. Huang

       Date:        October 8, 1996.

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