Exhibit 4.20
LEASE CONTRACT FOR HOUSING UNIT OF CORPORATE SQUARE
Numbers: [2006] Guo Zu No. 3
PARTY A (the Lessor): China Galaxy Securities Company Limited
Legal Representative: ▇▇▇ ▇▇ Title: Chairman
Address: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Postal code: 100032
Phone: (▇▇▇▇) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇▇) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
PARTY B (the Lessee): China Finance Online (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
Legal Representative: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Title: Chief Executive Officer
Address: Room 601, Ping'an Mansion, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Postal code: 100032
Phone: (▇▇▇▇) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇▇) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Pursuant to the Contracts Law and related laws and regulations of the
People's Republic of China, and for the purpose of defining their rights and
obligations, the Parties hereby agree on the contract as follows (the
"Contract") after friendly negotiations:
ARTICLE 1 QUALIFICATION, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
1. Party A is a company duly established and existing under the laws of the
People's Republic of China and the legal owner of Tower C of Corporate
Square located at ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ in Xicheng District in Beijing.
2. Party B is a company duly established and existing under the law of the
People's Republic of China and has the full qualification and power to sign
and perform the Contract hereto.
3. Party A and Party B both represent that they have completely understood and
agreed on each provision of the Contract and are clearly aware of the
benefits, risks and liabilities under the Contract.
4. Party A and Party B both undertake to perform the Contract in a positive,
careful and complete manner, following principles of fairness, justice and
good faith and in compliance with requirements of relevant policies, laws
and regulations.
ARTICLE 2 SCOPE, AREA, TERM AND PURPOSE OF THE LEASE
1. Per Party B's request, Party A agrees to lease to Party B the housing units
of 946 to 949 of the ninth floor of Tower C of Corporate Square as
indicated in Appendix 1 (the "Leased Units"), with a total area of 441
square meters (referring to the construction area measured by the Bureau of
Land Resources and Housing Management of Beijing Municipality) for a lease
term of 60 months (the "Lease Term"), commencing on March 1, 2006 (the
"Commencement Date") and ending on February 28, 2011.
ARTICLE 3 DELIVERY OF LEASED UNITS AND CONDITIONS FOR DELIVERY
1. Party A shall deliver to Party B the Leased Units on the Commencement Date.
Party A shall guarantee that the equipment for electricity, lighting, air
conditioning, elevators and washing have been installed in the public areas
of the Leased Units and are operating in good condition.
2. Party A provides Party B with equipment and facilities in the Leased Units
including but not limited to air conditioning, temperature controllers,
alarms and fire sprinkler system, which shall be examined and confirmed by
Party B's signature if no objection.
ARTICLE 4 DECORATION AND PLACEMENT
1. In the case of decoration, placement and other changes to the Leased Units
made by Party B, Party B shall give a prior notice to Party A and timely
provide Party A or the Property Management Department of Corporate Square
with various patterns, design plans, list of decoration materials and other
documents with respect to decorating and placing internal equipment and
auxiliary objects to facilitate the procedure for related approvals.
2. Party B shall conduct the decoration after receipt of examination and
approvals. Party B shall strictly perform in compliance with the approved
decoration plan and relevant regulations set forth in Appendix 1 by the
Property Management Department of Corporate Square. Party B shall pay the
price of decoration and other related expenses.
3. Party B shall undertake that decorations shall not have a negative impact
either on the structure and framework of Corporate Square or on the
interests of other lessees and users. Otherwise, Party B and not Party A
shall exclusively bear all liabilities and losses arisen thereby.
4. Party B shall undertake to be responsible for the equipment and facilities
altered and improved in the decoration and to never violate related laws,
regulations, rules or connected rules of Corporate Square listed in
Appendix 1.
ARTICLE 5 FREE LEASE PERIOD, PREEMPTED RIGHT OF RENEWAL AND SUBLEASE
1. Party B has a right to a free lease period for 90 days from the
Commencement Date. The term of free lease period is included in the whole
Lease Term. Within the term of the free lease period, Party B shall have
free rent, but it shall pay for fees other than the rent specified in
accordance with the Contract.
2. Upon the expiration of the Contract, Party B has a right to demand renewal
of the lease, provided the conditions of Party B are the same as other
parties have. Both parties shall negotiate and sign a new contract with
respect to the rent and other fees during the renewal of the lease. Party B
shall be deemed to waive the right of renewal in the event that Party B
cannot notify Party A of the renewal request at least 3 months prior to the
expiration of the Contract or both parties cannot reach a new contract at
least 1 month prior to the expiration of the Contract.
ARTICLE 6 RENT, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FEE, DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT
1. The rent and property management fee are calculated in accordance with
construction area measured by the Bureau of Land Resources and Housing
Management of Beijing Municipality.
2. The rent and property management fee shall be calculated in RMB and shall
be collected monthly. The rent for each square meter per day is RMB4.62
yuan and the property management fee for each square meter per day is
RMB0.98 yuan.
3. The property management fee shall be calculated on the basis of the
property management fee charged by the Property Management Department in
compliance with the rules of Corporate Square. Party A can adjust
reasonably the property management fee pursuant to the conditions and
procedures of Corporate Square.
4. Within 3 working days after the execution of the Contract, Party B shall
pay to Party A rent and property management fees for a 3 month period, in
the total amount of RMB225351 yuan as the deposit, functioning as the
security of Party B to make in time all payment of rent and property
management fees to Party A.
5. Within 3 working days after the execution of the Contract, Party B shall
pay to Party A the property management fee of the first month in the amount
of RMB13145.48 yuan. Party B shall pay RMB75117 yuan for the rent and
property management fee of every month after term of the free lease period.
Subsequent payment for the rent and property management fee of each month
shall be made by Party B within the first 3 working days of such month. If
the Commencement Date is not the initial date of a month, payment for the
rent and property management fee of the month shall be calculated upon the
actual days for lease.
6. Party B shall remit the money for payment through bank transfer to the
account designated by Party A as follows:
Account:
RMB Account
Bank: China Construction Bank, Beijing Fuxing Branch
Account Number: 65100080350760014
Foreign exchange shall be remitted to the account below:
1. Payee: China Galaxy Securities Company Limited
Bank: China Merchants Bank, Beijing Finance Street Branch
Account: 6580115832001
2. Payee: China Galaxy Securities Company Limited
Bank (HK$ account): Industrial and Commercial Bank of China,
Beijing Branch
Account: 0200000309200005493
7. The rent of the contract includes land use premiums.
ARTICLE 7 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PARTY A
1. Party A is entitled to the ownership and beneficial right of the Leased
Units and any other property rights provided pursuant to the laws and
regulations.
2. During the Lease Term, Party A has a right to transfer the ownership of the
Leased Units, in whole or part, to third parties regardless of consent from
Party B. Party A shall transfer its rights and obligations under the
Contract to such third parties. The rights and obligations of Party B under
the Contract shall not be affected by the ownership transfer.
3. During the Lease Term, Party A has a right to set up a mortgage, offer to
compensate and exchange on the Leased Units, in whole or part, regardless
of consent from Party B. The rights and obligations of Party B under the
Contract shall not be affected by the Party A's activities as aforesaid.
4. During the Lease Term, Party A shall pay the taxes imposed upon it by
relevant laws and regulations.
5. Party A has a right to dispatch its personnel to inspect the equipment and
hardware of Corporate Square in the Leased Units, giving a prior notice to
Party B except in emergency circumstances. Party A shall use its best
endeavors to avoid any interruption to the ordinary working environment of
Party B.
ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF PARTY B
1. Party B is entitled to use the Leased Units in accordance with the
Contract.
2. Party B shall carry out the business activities in the Leased Units in
compliance with laws, regulations and rules of the People's Republic of
China and is prohibited to harm Party A's reputation through its
activities.
3. Party B shall duly make the payments with respect to the rent, property
management fee, electricity usage fee and any other charges it shall be
responsible for.
4. Starting from the Commencement Date, Party B shall purchase insurance for
the properties in the Leased Units, including property insurance and third
party liability insurance. Otherwise, Party B and not Party A shall be
solely responsible for all liabilities and losses.
5. Party B shall not alter the purpose of use of the Leased Units without
consent in writing from Party A.
6. Party B shall not re-lend, sublease, and exchange the Leased Units, in
whole or part, to third parties or allow third parties to use the Leased
Units by other means, without consent in writing from Party A.
7. Party B shall not alter the locking and security system on the gate of the
Leased Units without consent in writing from Party A or approval from
related departments.
8. Party B shall not alter or move the equipment for usage of water and
electricity and shall not enlarge the capacities of central air
conditioning, without consent in writing from Party A.
9. Party B shall take necessary actions to prevent the Leased Units from fires
accident or man-made damage. Party B shall immediately notify to Party A
with respect to any damage of the Leased Units. Party B shall restore the
damaged parts of the Leased Units to their former condition within one
month upon receipt of Party A's notice, provided that the damages resulted
from negligence by Party B and its employees.
ARTICLE 9 LIABILITIES FOR BREACH
1. The party in breach shall be responsible for the liabilities resulting from
the breach. If both parties are deemed to be in breach of the Contract,
liabilities shall be allocated between the two parties in accordance with
corresponding facts and actual results of the breach.
2. The party in breach shall pay liquidated damages to the other party duly
performing the Contract. The other party is entitled to claim all of its
losses incurred but with a limit to all actual losses.
3. If Party A delays in delivering to Party B the Leased Units, it shall pay a
late payment charge in the amount of 5/oo of the monthly rent for each day
of delay.
4. If Party B delays in making payment of fees, it shall pay a late payment
charge in the amount of 5/oo of unpaid fees for each day of delay.
5. If Party B delays in moving out of the Leased Units, it shall pay a late
payment charge in amount of 1% of the monthly rent for each day of delay.
6. If Party B in breach cannot duly pay the liquidated damages, late payment
charge or indemnity due upon receipt of a notice from Party A asking for
payment, Party B agrees that all the properties in the Leased Units can be
taken by Party A as a lien and Party A has a right to dispose the
properties in accordance with the laws.
ARTICLE 10 EXPIRATION AND TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT
1. The Contract shall be terminated automatically upon expiration of the Lease
Term. Party A shall return the deposit of the rent and property management
fee (less the amount ought to be paid by Party B and not including addition
of interests or indemnity) to Party B within 30 days after Party B's
completion of its performance.
2. Party B shall complete the obligations below upon the expiration of the
Lease Term or 7 days before the termination of the Contract:
1) Party B shall deliver to Party A the equipment and facilities in the
Leased Units in good operating condition, except normal wear and tear,
damages existing before the Lease Term or caused by force majeure
events.
2) Party B shall uninstall the decoration and equipment subsequently
improved and restore the Leased Units to their former condition when
moving out, except if given a written consent from Party A to maintain
the decoration and improvement.
3) Party B shall pay off the rent, property management fee and
electricity usage fee and other fees required.
3. Party A has a right to unilaterally terminate the contract and keep the
rent, provided that Party B has acted as follows. Party B shall be bound to
pay the liquidated damages equal to 3 months' rent and other damages to any
economic losses of Party A if:
1) Party B conducts illegal business activities.
2) Party B alters the purpose of use of the Leased Units without consent
from Party A.
3) The Leased Units are used by third parties other than Party B without
consent from Party A.
4) The Leased Units, in whole or part, are subleased, re-lent and
exchanged to third parties or used in common by Party B and third
parties, without consent from Party A.
5) Party B delays for more than 30 days in making payment for the rent,
property management fee and other fees set forth in Article 6 of the
Contract.
6) Party B is in a breach of Article 7 of the Contract and cannot
efficiently redress within 30 days upon notice from Party A.
4. Party B has a right to terminate the Contract before the expiration of the
Lease Term because of the business development, after giving notice to
Party A 3 months in advance and obtaining mutual consent.
5. Party B has a right to terminate the contract and claim twice the amount of
the deposit, provided that Party A cannot deliver the Leased Units within
30 days from execution of the Contract and the receipt of the deposit from
Party B.
6. If Party A terminates the Contract for no reason, it shall pay to Party B
twice the amount of the deposit and shall indemnify the direct losses
suffered by Party B, such as decoration expenses.
7. Upon the expiration of the Lease Term or 15 days after the termination of
the Contract, any properties in the Leased Units that have not been moved
out are regarded as being given up by Party B and Party B agrees to
authorize Party A to dispose of these properties and charge Party B for any
related costs.
ARTICLE 11 FORCE MAJEURE
1. If one party cannot perform the Contract due to earthquake, typhoon, war,
turbulence and other unexpected and inevitable factors, the party
encountering the force majeure event shall immediately notify the other
party and provide detailed information about the force majeure event and a
certificate of non-performance, partial non-performance or
delayed-performance. The certificate shall be issued by a local notary
public from the place having the force majeure event. The party
encountering the force majeure event shall not be held liable for
indemnification.
2. If Party B cannot properly use the Leased Units due to the force majeure
event, both parties shall negotiate to agree on subtraction of the rent and
property management fee. If Party B cannot use the Leased Units at all due
to the force majeure event, the payment for the rent and property
management fee shall not be made until the Leased Units can be used in good
condition. If the Leased Units cannot be used in good condition for 90
days, Party B has a right to notify Party A of termination of the Contract.
Party B shall reimburse the deposit and the rent paid in advance (less the
actual usage fee and normal wear and tear) to Party B within 30 days upon
receipt of a notice.
ARTICLE 12 GOVERNING LAW AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
1. The Contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the People's Republic of China.
2. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the Contract shall be resolved
through friendly consultation between both parties. If the dispute is not
resolved through consultation, any party has a right to submit to the China
International Economic and Trade Arbitration ("CIETAC") for arbitration in
accordance with the Arbitration Rules of CIETAC. The award of the
arbitration tribunal shall be final and binding upon the two parties.
ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS
1. Party B agrees that the Leased Units shall be managed by Party A (or the
Property Management Company designated by Party A).
2. The property management services shall include the cleaning of toilets,
elevators, public corridors and maintenance of the equipment of Corporate
Square, excluding the equipment improved by Party B inside the Leased
Units.
3. Party A and Party B both agree that they will conclude a separate contract
with respect to the lease of underground parking spaces.
ARTICLE 14 ANNEX
1. Any notice under the Contract shall be sent by means of fax, registered
mail, courier or sent by specific individual to the legal addresses of the
parties.
2. If any provision of the Contract shall be held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the validity and legality of the remaining provisions shall
not be affected and shall not form a basis for both parties to refuse the
performance of the Contract.
3. Any matters not covered by the Contract may be negotiated and included in a
supplementary contract entered into by both parties. Any supplementary
contract and appendices shall be integrated into the Contract and have the
same legal effect as that of the Contract.
4. The Contract is made in three duplicates. Each party shall hold one and the
Bureau of Land Resources and Housing Management of Beijing Municipality
shall hold one for record. The three duplicates have the same legal effect.
5. The Contract comes into effect upon the signing by legal representatives or
authorized representatives with chopped seals and comes to an end upon
expiration of the Lease Term.
APPENDIX
1. MAP OF LEASED UNITS
PARTY A: China Galaxy Securities Company Limited
/s/ [COMPANY SEAL]
By: /s/ ▇▇▇ ▇▇
-----------------------------------------------------
Legal Representative or authorized representative
Date: January 19, 2006
PARTY B: China Finance Online (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
By: /s/ [COMPANY SEAL]
------------------------------------------------------
Legal Representative or authorized representative
Date: January 19, 2006
Place of Execution:
3(rd) Floor, Corporate Square
