Recon Technology (RCON) 6-KCurrent report (foreign)

Exhibit 99.1

RECON TECHNOLOGY, LTD.

Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street

Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012

People’s Republic of China

(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)

(NASDAQ Trading Symbol: RCON)

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MARCH 29, 2024  

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an annual general meeting (the “AGM”) of Recon Technology, Ltd. (the “Company”, “Recon”, “we”, “us” or “our” ) will be held at the Company’s headquarters at Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, People’s Republic of China on March 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Beijing time).

Only holders of ordinary shares of record on the close of business on February 2, 2024 (the “Record Date”) or their proxy holders are entitled to vote at the AGM or any adjournment or postponements thereof. Each Class A ordinary shareholder has one vote for each ordinary share, and each Class B ordinary shareholder has fifteen votes for each ordinary share, held as of the close of business on the record date.

Votes shall be counted on a poll basis, with each Class A ordinary share carrying one vote and each Class B ordinary share carrying fifteen votes. At the AGM, the following resolutions will be considered and voted upon, noting that where certain square brackets are shown below, the intention is to confirm such missing information at the AGM once approved by the Shareholders:

THAT the following individuals be appointed as Class II members of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), to serve a term expiring at the first Annual General Meeting of the Company held following the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified;

THAT the appointment of Enrome LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 be ratified, confirmed and approved in all respects.

THAT every [●] Class A ordinary share of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 (including issued and unissued Class A ordinary shares) be consolidated into 1 Class A ordinary share with a nominal or par value of US$[●] or at a ratio of between 1:15 and 1:40, in such number as recommended by the Board and approved by the shareholders (“Share Consolidation”).

From: US$53,650,000 divided into [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$[●] each, and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each,

To: US$58,000 divided into 500,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each,

by: first, the creation of [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 and 60,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, each having the rights and subject to the restrictions set out in the Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association (“Fourth M&AA”) adopted pursuant to the resolutions below, second a subdivision of all shares at a ratio of [●] such that each Class A Share of US$[●] par value shall become [●] Class A Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and each Class B Share shall become [●] Class B Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and third, a capital reduction whereby [●] authorized but unissued Class A Shares and [●] authorized but unissued Class B Shares are cancelled; and that as a result of the Amendment, each Member shall retain that number of Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares held in their name, as adjusted to account for the Share Consolidation and subsequent Amendment.

THAT the Company’s memorandum and articles of association be amended and restated by way of adopting the Fourth M&AA to reflect each of first, the Share Consolidation and second, the Amendment and third, any consequential changes as a result of the Share Consolidation and Amendment, in substitution for and to the exclusion of the current memorandum and articles of association of the Company.

THAT the Company adopt the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan in a form substantially similar to that attached at Annex B and that the Company be and is hereby authorized to enter into any agreements and issue any shares in accordance with the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan.

THAT the Company’s registered office service provider and/or registered transfer agent (as applicable) be authorized and instructed to update the Company’s registers and to file the Fourth M&AA with the Registrar of Companies for and on behalf of the Company.

THAT any other business properly coming before the meeting or any adjournment or postponements thereof be transacted.

Shareholders may obtain a copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F, free of charge, from our website at www.recon.cn, or by writing to Investor Relations, Recon, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, People’s Republic of China, or by sending an email to info@recon.cn.

Regardless of the number of shares that you own, your vote is very important. Even if you plan to attend the AGM or adjourned meetings in person, we request that you submit your proxy in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card as promptly as possible. You should simply indicate on your proxy card how you want to vote, sign and date the proxy card, and mail the proxy card in the enclosed return envelope as soon as possible to ensure that it will be received by the Company no later than 10:00 a.m. on March 28, 2024 (New York City time) so that your shares will be represented and may be voted at the AGM and/or any adjourned meetings. If you receive more than one proxy card because you own shares that are registered in different names, please vote all of your shares shown on all of your proxy cards in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card.

Completing the proxy card in accordance with the instructions set forth on the proxy card will not deprive you of your right to attend the AGM or the adjourned meetings and vote your shares in person. Please note, however, that if your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and you wish to vote at the AGM or the adjourned meetings in person, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in your name.

If you submit your proxy card without indicating how you wish to vote, the shares represented by your proxy card will be voted FOR all the above special and ordinary resolutions.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact Jia Liu, by telephone at +8610-84945799, or email at info@recon.cn.

Notes:

1. If a share is held jointly by two or more persons, the vote of the holder whose name appears first in the register of members of the Company who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, shall be accepted to the exclusion of the vote of the other joint holders.

2. The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the appointor is a corporation, either under seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorized.

3. A proxy need not be a member (registered shareholder) of the Company.

4. The Chairman of the meeting may at his discretion direct that a proxy card shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. A proxy card that is not deposited in the manner permitted shall be invalid.

5. Votes given in accordance with the terms of a duly executed proxy card shall be valid notwithstanding the death or insanity of the principal prior to the AGM or adjourned meetings or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100012, People’s Republic of China, before the commencement of the AGM, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy.

Beijing, China

February 13, 2024 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

The following questions and answers are intended to address briefly some commonly asked questions regarding the Annual Meeting. These questions and answers may not address all of the questions that may be important to you as a shareholder. To better understand these matters you should carefully read this entire proxy statement.

Q: Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

A: The Company is holding its Annual Meeting to elect two Class II directors, to ratify the appointment of the Company’s auditors, to increase the authorized share capital, to consolidate ordinary shares, to amend the authorized share capital of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001, to amend and restate the Company’s memorandum and articles of association, to approve the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, and to transact any business that may properly come before the meeting.

We have included in this proxy statement important information about the Annual Meeting. You should read this information carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed voting materials allow you to vote your shares without attending the applicable shareholder meeting. Your vote is very important and we encourage you to submit your proxy as soon as possible.

Q: What proposals are the shareholders being asked to consider?

A: The shareholders are being asked:

From: US$53,650,000 divided into [●] Class A ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$[●] each and 80,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each,

To: US$58,000 divided into 500,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each,

by: first, the creation of [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 and 60,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, each having the rights and subject to the restrictions set out in the Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Association adopted pursuant to the resolutions below, second a subdivision of all shares at a ratio of such that each Class A Share of US$[●] par value shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and each Class B Share shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and third, a capital reduction whereby [●] authorized but unissued Class A Shares and [●] authorized but unissued Class B Shares are cancelled; and that as a result of the Amendment, each Member shall retain that number of Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares held in their name, as adjusted to account for the Share Consolidation and subsequent Amendment.

Q: What are the recommendations of the Board?

A: The Board has determined that the elections of the two Class II nominees of the Board, the ratification of the appointment of the company’s auditors, the increase in the authorized share capital, the consolidation of the Class A ordinary shares, the amendment to the authorized share capital of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001, the adoption of the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, and approval of the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan are advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders and have unanimously approved the proposal described herein. The Board unanimously recommends that the shareholders vote “FOR” the election of the two Class II director nominees and “FOR” the other proposals.

Q: When and where will the Annual Meeting be held?

A: The Annual Meeting will be held on March 29, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., Beijing Time (10:00 p.m. ET on March 28, 2024), at Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China.

Q: Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

A: The record date for the Annual Meeting is February 2, 2024. Only holders of Class A ordinary shares, and/or Class B ordinary shares, of the Company as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 Q: What constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting?

A: At the Annual Meeting, the presence in person or by proxy of one-third (1/3) in number of our outstanding shares (including Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares) as of the record date will constitute a quorum at such Annual Meeting (without regard to the votes attaching to such shares). Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of establishing a quorum at the meeting.

Q: How many votes are required to approve the proposals?

A: Nomination of Directors: If a simple majority of the votes cast in respect of resolution 1a. (the election of Mr. Nelson N.S. Wong) vote “For”, then he will be elected as a director. If a simple majority of the votes cast in respect of resolution 1b. (the election of Mr. Jijun Hu) vote “For”, then he will be elected as a director. Shares not voted will have no impact on the election of directors. The proxy given will be voted “For” the nominee for director unless a properly executed proxy card is marked “Withhold” as to the nominee for director.

Ratification of Appointment of Auditors: The ratification of the appointment of Enrome LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 requires that a majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Consolidation of Shares: To consolidate every [●] Class A ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 (including issued and unissued Class A ordinary shares) into 1 Class A ordinary share with a nominal or par value of US$[●] requires that a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Amend and restate the memorandum and articles of association: To amend and restate the Company’s memorandum and articles of association by the way of adoption of the Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association substantially in the form annexed hereto at Annex A to reflect, amongst other things, each of first, the the Share Consolidation and second, the Amendment and third, any consequential changes as a result of the Share Consolidation and Amendment, in substitution for and to the exclusion of the current memorandum and articles of association of the Company requires that a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Amendment of the authorized share capital of the Company: To amend the authorized share capital of the Company immediately following the Share Consolidation becoming effect, although to be determined and confirmed at the AGM, as follows: From: US$53,650,000 divided into [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$[●] each, and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, To: US$58,000 divided into 500,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each, by: first, the creation of [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 and 60,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, each having the rights and subject to the restrictions set out in the Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Association adopted pursuant to the resolutions below, second a subdivision of all shares at a ratio of [●] such that each Class A Share of US$[●] par value shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and each Class B Share shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and third, a capital reduction whereby [●] authorized but unissued Class A Shares and [●] authorized but unissued Class B Shares are cancelled; and that as a result of the amendment, each Member shall retain that number of Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares held in their name, as adjusted to account for the Share Consolidation and subsequent Amendment, requires that a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Approval of 2024 Equity Incentive Plan: To approve the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan requires that a majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Authorization of the Company’s registered office service provider to file the Fourth M&AA: To approve that the Company’s registered office service provider and/or registered transfer agent (as applicable) be authorized and instructed to update the Company’s registers and to file the Fourth M&AA with the Registrar of Companies for and on behalf of the Company requires that a majority of the votes cast at the meeting be voted “For” the proposal. A properly executed proxy card marked “Abstain” with respect to this proposal will not be voted.

Other business properly before the meeting in accordance with Article 47: Depending on the nature of such business properly brought before the meeting, it will require an ordinary resolution approved by a simple majority of the votes cast, or a special resolution approved by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast. The question of whether an ordinary resolution or special resolution is required is to be determined in accordance with the Company’s Third Articles of Association and applicable law.

Q: Is cumulative voting permitted for the election of directors?

A: No. You may not cumulate your votes for the election of directors.

Q: How do the shareholders vote?

A: The shareholders have two voting options. You may vote using one of the following methods:

Q: How can I attend the meeting ?

A: The meeting is open to all holders of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares, and/or Class B ordinary shares, as of the record date. You may attend the meeting in person or dial in for your information if you vote by proxy. The dial-in number in the United States is 1-866-636-1530, and the dial-in number in China is 400-128-6665. The password for the meeting is 99778535. Shareholders living in other countries are welcome to attend the conference call by contacting our Company at info@recon.cn. 

Q: May shareholders ask questions at the meeting?

A: Yes. Representatives of the Company will answer questions of general interest at the end of the meeting.

Q: If my shares are held in “street name” by a broker or other nominee, will my broker or nominee vote my shares for me?

A: Your broker or other nominee does not have authority to vote on non-routine matters. The ratification of Enrome LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 is considered a routine matter for which brokerage firms may vote without specific instructions. All of the other proposals presented at the Annual Meeting are considered non-routine matters. When a proposal is not a routine matter, your broker or other nominee will vote your shares held by it in “street name” with respect to these matters only if you provide instructions to it on how to vote. You should follow the directions your broker or other nominee provides.

Q: What if I do not vote on the matters relating to the proposals?

A: If you fail to vote or fail to instruct your broker or other nominee how to vote on any of the proposals, it will have no effect on such proposals. It will be treated as a “non-vote” and not count toward a quorum. However, if you hold shares through an account with a bank or broker, your shares may be voted even if you do not provide voting instructions on your instruction form. Brokerage firms have the authority to vote shares for which their customers do not provide voting instructions on certain routine matters.

Q: May I change my vote after I have delivered my proxy or voting instruction card?

A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting. You may do this in one of four ways:

Your attendance alone will not revoke any proxy.

If your shares are held in an account at a broker or other nominee, you should contact your broker or other nominee to change your vote.

Q: Do I have appraisal rights?

A: The shareholders do not have appraisal rights with respect to the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.

Q: Whom should I call if I have questions about the proxy materials or voting procedures?

A: If you have questions about the proposals, or if you need assistance in submitting your proxy or voting your shares or need additional copies of this proxy statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Recon Technology Ltd., Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China, or call +(86) 010-84945799. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you should contact your broker, bank or other nominee for additional information 

Q: What do I need to do now?

A: After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement, including the annexes, please vote your shares as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the Annual Meeting. Please follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card or on the voting instruction form provided by the record holder if your shares are held in the name of your broker or other nominee.

Q: Who is paying for the expenses involved in preparing and mailing this proxy statement?

A: All of the expenses involved in preparing, assembling and mailing these proxy materials and all costs of soliciting proxies will be paid for by the Company.  In addition to the solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our officers and other employees by telephone or in person.  Such persons will receive no compensation for their services other than their regular salaries. Arrangements will also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the shares held of record by such persons, and we may reimburse such persons for reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by them in so doing. 

Q: What interest do officers and directors have in matters to be acted upon?

A: Members of the Board and executive officers of the Company do not have any interest in any other proposal that is not shared by all other shareholders of the Company, other than Proposal 1, the election to our Board of the nominees set forth herein. 

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

(ITEM 1 ON THE PROXY CARD)

Director Biographies

A brief biography of each director in each Class follows. You are asked to vote for two nominees listed below to serve as Class II members of the Board. The candidates for the Board have consented to serve if elected. The terms of the Class II members of the Board continue until the annual meeting of shareholders following the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

Nominees for election as Class II member of the Board to serve a three-year term, whose terms will continue until the annual meeting of shareholders following the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026:

Nelson N. S. Wong

Independent Director Nominee

Age – 60

Director since 2008

Mr. Wong joined our Board in 2008. In 1990 Mr. Wong joined the Vigers Group, a real estate company that provides services in valuation, corporate property services, investment advisory services, general practice surveying, building surveying, commercial, retail and industrial agency, and property and facilities management. Mr. Wong became the Vice Chairman and CEO of the Vigers Group in 1993. In 1995 Mr. Wong established the ACN Group, a business consulting firm, where he has worked continuously and continues to serve as the Chairman and Managing Partner. Mr. Wong received a bachelor’s degree in arts from the PLA Institute of International Relations in Nanjing in 1983. Mr. Wong was chosen as a director because we believe we can benefit from his leadership skills and management experience.

Jijun Hu

Independent Director Nominee

Age – 57

Director since 2008

Mr. Hu joined our Board in 2008. From 1988 to 2003, Mr. Hu served in a variety of positions at our No. 2 test-drill plant, including technician of installation, assets equipment work, electrical installation, control room production dispatcher, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Technology Battalion and Deputy Director of Production. From 2003 to 2005, Mr. Hu served as Head of the Integrated Battalion and he is currently the Head of the Transport Battalion, Senior Electric Engineer. Mr. Hu graduated as an automated professional from the China University of Petroleum in 1988. Mr. Hu was chosen as a director because we believe his years of experience and knowledge gained while working at our No. 2 test-drill plant will prove beneficial to the guidance of our company.

Existing Class I members of the Board, whose terms continue until the annual meeting of shareholders following the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025:

Shudong Zhao
Director
Age – 77

Director since 2013

Mr. Zhao joined our board of directors in 2013. Mr. Zhao spent over 30 years working in the oilfield industry prior to retiring from full-time work in 2006. From 1970 to 1976, Mr. Zhao worked as a technician in the Daqing oilfield. From 1976 to 1982, Mr. Zhao served as the vice director of the Hubei Oilfield Generalized Geologic Technical Research Institute. Mr. Zhao then spent 11 years as a director and section chief at the Scientific and Technological Development Department of the Huabei Petroleum Administrative Bureau. He was subsequently appointed Chief Geologist of the bureau, a position he held from 1993 to 1999. From 1999 to 2006, Mr. Zhao served as the General Manager of the Huabei Oilfield Company of CNPC. Mr. Zhao studied at the Northeast Petroleum Institute from 1965 to 1970. Mr. Zhao was elected as a director because of his extensive experience in the oilfield industry.

Yonggang Duan
Director
Age – 59

Director since 2020

Dr. Duan has served as our director since March 2020. Dr. Duan has been teaching and researching in the oil-gas field development engineering area for a long time. From November 2004, Dr. Duan has been a professor at Southwest Petroleum University in Sichuan, China. He is the director of the oil well technology center of petroleum engineering school of Southwest Petroleum University. In addition, Dr. Duan is also a researcher and Ph.D. supervisor. He has published over 60 articles on top academic journals and participated in writing six books. He was named an expert with outstanding contributions and an oil-gas safety expert in Sichuan Province, China. Dr. Duan received his bachelor’s degree in oil production in 1984, and his master degree in oil-gas field development engineering in 1988, both from Southwest Colleague. Dr. Duan received his Ph.D. degree in oil-gas field development engineering in 2009 from Southwest Petroleum University. Dr. Duan was chosen as a director because he is an expert in the oilfield area.

Existing Class III members of the Board, whose terms continue until the annual meeting of shareholders following the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024:

Shenping Yin
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Age – 53

Director since 2007

In 2003, Mr. Yin founded Nanjing Recon, a Chinese company that provides services to automate and enhance the extraction of petroleum in the PRC, and has been the Chief Executive Officer since that time. Prior to founding Nanjing Recon, Mr. Yin served as a sales manager for Fujian Haitian Network Company from 1992 through 1994. Mr. Yin has founded and operated a number of companies: Xiamen Hengda Haitian Computer Network Co., Ltd. (1994), Baotou Hengda Haitian Computer Network Co., Ltd. (1997) and Beijing Jingke Haitian Electronic Technology Development Co., Ltd. (1999), and Jingsu Huasheng Information Technology Co., Ltd. (2000). In 2000, Mr. Yin merged the former Nanjing Kingsley Software Engineering Co., Ltd. into Nanjing Recon. Mr. Yin received his bachelor’s degree in 1991 from Nanjing Agricultural University in information systems. Mr. Yin was chosen as a director, and serves as Chairman of the Board, because he is one of the founders of our company and we believe his knowledge of our company and years of experience in our industry give him the ability to guide our company as a director. 

Guangqiang Chen
Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Age – 59

Director since 2007 

Mr. Chen has served as our Chief Technology Officer since 2003. Mr. Chen was a geological engineer for the Fourth Oil Extraction Plant of Huabei Oil Field from 1985 through 1993. From 1993 through 1999, Mr. Chen was a chief engineer for Xinda Company, CNPC Development Bureau. From 1999 through 2003, Mr. Chen served as the general manager of Beijing Adar. From 2011 to March 2013, Mr. Chen was a founder and majority shareholder of Qinghai Hua You Downhole Technology Co., Ltd. (“QHHY”). From March 2013 to December 2014, Mr. Chen remained a 40% shareholder of QHHY but was no longer involved QHHY’s day to day operations. Mr. Chen received his bachelor’s degree in 1985 from Southwest Petroleum Institute. Mr. Chen was chosen as a director because he is one of the founders of our company and we believe we can benefit from his years of engineering and management experience in the oil extraction industry.

Jia Liu

Chief Financial Officer and Director

Age – 40

Ms. Liu has served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2008 and as our director since 2022. Prior to that, Ms. Liu assisted various companies, with financial due diligence, field surveys and data analysis. Ms. Liu received her bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Beijing University of Chemical Technology, School of Economics and Management, and her master’s degree in industrial economics in 2009 from Beijing Wuzi University. Ms. Liu is a certified U.S. CPA.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors, or has been a party to any judicial or administrative proceeding during the past ten years that resulted in a judgment, decree or final order enjoining the person from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws, or a finding of any violation of federal or state securities or commodities laws, any laws respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud in connection with any business entity or been subject to any disciplinary sanctions or orders imposed by a stock, commodities or derivatives exchange or other self-regulatory organization, except for matters that were dismissed without sanction or settlement. None of our directors, director nominees or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Leadership Structure of the Board

Mr. Shenping Yin currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Guangqiang Chen currently holds the position of Chairman of our Board. Our Board believes that separating the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Separating such roles allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus completely on operations and corporate strategy execution.

We do not have a lead independent director because of our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman are not held by the same person, and also because we believe our independent directors are encouraged to freely voice their opinions on a relatively small company board.

Risk Oversight

Our Board plays a significant role in our risk oversight. The Board makes all relevant Company decisions. As such, it is important for us to have our Chief Executive Officer serve on the Board as he plays a key role in the risk oversight of the Company. As a smaller reporting company with a small Board, we believe it is appropriate to have the involvement and input of all of our directors in risk oversight matters.

There are no material proceedings to which any director, officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s ordinary shares, or any associate of such persons is a party adverse to Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF TWO

NOMINEES TO THE BOARD.

BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE INFORMATION

What if a nominee is unwilling or unable to serve?

The two nominees listed in the proxy statement have agreed to serve as directors, if elected. If for some unforeseen reason any nominee becomes unwilling or unable to serve, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the Board.

How are directors compensated?

All directors hold office until the expiration of their respective terms and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board. Employee directors and non-voting observers do not receive any compensation for their services. We pay $8,000 to each independent director annually for their service as a director. In addition, non-employee directors are entitled to receive compensation for their actual travel expenses for each Board meeting attended.

Summary Director Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2023, the outstanding options, unvested restricted share units and shares that we granted to our current directors and executive officers, reflecting the one-for-five Reverse Stock Split.

How does the Board determine which directors are independent?

The Board reviews the independence of each director yearly. During this review, the Board considers transactions and relationships between each director (and his or her immediate family and affiliates) and the Company and its management to determine whether any such relationships or transactions are inconsistent with a determination that the director is independent in light of applicable law, listing standards and the Company’s director independence standards. The Company believes that it maintains a majority of independent directors who are deemed to be independent under the definition of independence provided by NASDAQ Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).

What role does the Nominating Committee play in selecting nominees to the Board?

Two of the primary purposes of the Nominating Committee of the Board are (i) to develop and implement policies and procedures that are intended to ensure that the Board will be appropriately constituted and organized to meet its fiduciary obligations to the Company and its shareholders and (ii) to identify individuals qualified to become members of the Board and to recommend to the Board the director nominees for the annual meeting of shareholders. The Nominating Committee is also responsible for considering candidates for membership on the Board submitted by eligible shareholders. The Nominating Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website at www.recon.cn under Investor Relations and in print upon request. The Nominating Committee of the Company’s Board was the only entity or person to nominate and/or recommend any of the director nominees.

Are the members of the Nominating Committee independent?

Yes. All members of the Nominating Committee have been determined to be independent by the Board.

How does the Nominating Committee identify and evaluate nominees for director?

The Nominating Committee considers candidates for nomination to the Board from a number of sources. Current members of the Board are considered for re-election unless they have notified the Company that they do not wish to stand for re-election. The Nominating Committee also considers candidates recommended by current members of the Board, members of management or eligible shareholders. From time to time the Board may engage a firm to assist in identifying potential candidates, although the Company did not engage such a firm to identify any of the nominees for director proposed for election at the meeting.

The Nominating Committee evaluates all candidates for director, regardless of the person or firm recommending such candidate, on the basis of the length and quality of their business experience, the applicability of such candidate’s experience to the Company and its business, the skills and perspectives such candidate would bring to the Board and the personality or “fit” of such candidate with existing members of the Board and management. The Nominating Committee does not have a specific policy in place with regard to the consideration of diversity when identifying director nominees, however, the Nominating Committee does consider diversity of opinion and experience when nominating directors.

What are the Nominating Committee’s policies and procedures for considering director candidates recommended by shareholders?

The Nominating Committee will consider all candidates recommended by shareholders. A shareholder wishing to recommend a candidate must submit the following documents to the secretary of the Company at Recon Technology, Ltd, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China:

If the candidate is to be evaluated by the Nominating Committee, the secretary will request a detailed resume, an autobiographical statement explaining the candidate’s interest in serving as a director of the Company, a completed statement regarding conflicts of interest, and a waiver of liability for a background check from the candidate.

What are the minimum qualifications required to serve on the Company’s Board?

All members of the Board must possess the following minimum qualifications as determined by the Nominating Committee:

What other considerations does the Nominating Committee consider?

The Nominating Committee believes it is important to have directors from various backgrounds and professions in order to ensure that the Board has a wealth of experiences to inform its decisions. Consistent with this philosophy, in addition to the minimum standards set forth above, business and managerial experience and an understanding of financial statements and financial matters are very important.

How may shareholders communicate with the members of the Board?

Shareholders and others who are interested in communicating directly with members of the Board, including communication of concerns relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or audit matters, or fraud or unethical behavior, may do so by writing to the directors at the following address:

Name of Director or Directors

c/o Secretary

Recon Technology, Ltd.

Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street

Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012

People’s Republic of China

Does the Company have a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct?

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, which is applicable to all directors, officers and associates of the Company, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial and accounting officer. The complete text of the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct is available on the Company’s web site at www.recon.cn and is also available in print upon request. The Company intends to post any amendments to or waivers from its Code of Business Ethics and Conduct (to the extent applicable to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer) at this location on its web site.

How often did the Board meet in fiscal year 2023?

The Board met a total of five (5) times during fiscal year 2023. The Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee each met five (5) times during fiscal 2023. The Board invites, but does not require, directors to attend the Annual Meeting of shareholders.  

What are the committees of the Board?

During fiscal year 2023, the Board had standing Audit, Nominating, and Compensation Committees. The members of each of the Committees as of February 13, 2024, their principal functions and the number of meetings held during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, are shown below.

Compensation Committee

The members of the Compensation Committee are:

Jijun Hu, Chairman

Nelson N.S. Wong

Shudong Zhao

The Compensation Committee held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The Compensation Committee’s charter is available on the Company’s website at www.recon.cn under Investor Relations and in print upon request. The Compensation Committee’s principal responsibilities include:

The Compensation Committee may not delegate its authority to other persons. Similarly, the Compensation Committee has not engaged a compensation consultant to assist in the determination of executive compensation issues. While the Company’s executives will communicate with the Compensation Committee regarding executive compensation issues, the Company’s executive officers do not participate in any executive compensation decisions.

Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee are:

Nelson N.S. Wong, Chairman

Shudong Zhao

Jijun Hu

The Audit Committee held five (5) meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. The primary responsibility of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in monitoring the integrity of the Company’s financial statements and the independence of its external auditors. The Company believes that each of the members of the Audit Committee is “independent” and that Mr. Wong qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with applicable NASDAQ Capital Market listing standards. In carrying out its responsibility, the Audit Committee undertakes to:

The Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters, including procedures for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.

Nominating Committee

The members of the Nominating Committee are:

Shudong Zhao, Chairman

Nelson N.S. Wong

Jijun Hu

The Nominating Committee had five (5) meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. All members of the Nominating Committee are independent, as such term is defined by the NASDAQ Capital Market listing standards. The Nominating Committee undertakes to:

The Board has determined to provide a process by which shareholders may communicate with the Board as a whole, a Board committee or individual director. Shareholders wishing to communicate with the Board as a whole, a Board committee or an individual member may do so by sending a written communication addressed to the Board of the Company or to the committee or to an individual director, c/o Secretary, Recon Technology Ltd, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China. All communications will be compiled by the secretary of the Company and submitted to the Board or the addressee not later than the next regular Board meeting.

MANAGEMENT — BUSINESS HISTORY OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

For information as to the business history of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yin, and our Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Chen, and other directors, see the section “Proposal One: Election of Directors” elsewhere in this proxy statement.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE COMPANY’S

NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

We have employment agreements with each of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Financial Officer. With the exception of the employment agreement with our Chief Financial Officer, each of these employment agreements provides for an indefinite term. Such employment agreements may be terminated (1) if the employee gives written notice of his or her intention to resign, (2) the employee is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board, without special leave of absence from the other members of the Board, and the Board passes a resolution that such employee has vacated his office, or (3) the death, bankruptcy or mental incapacity of the employee. The employment agreement for our Chief Financial Officer provides for a one-year term, which expired on March 12, 2017, and the parties have continued to operate under the terms of this agreement since its expiration. Such employment agreement may be terminated if Ms. Liu gives thirty days’ written notice of her intention to resign, or if the Board determines she can no longer perform her duties as Chief Financial Officer and provides her with thirty days’ written notice of termination.

Under Chinese law, we may only terminate employment agreements without cause and without penalty by providing notice of non-renewal one month prior to the date on which the employment agreement is scheduled to expire. If we fail to provide this notice or if we wish to terminate an employment agreement in the absence of cause, then we are obligated to pay the employee one month’s salary for each year we have employed the employee. We are, however, permitted to terminate an employee for cause without penalty to our company, where the employee has committed a crime or the employee’s actions or inactions have resulted in a material adverse effect to us.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table shows the annual compensation paid by us to Mr. Shenping Yin, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Guangqiang Chen, our Chief Technology Officer, and Ms. Jia Liu, our Chief Financial Officer, for the years ended June 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021. No other employee or officer received more than $100,000 in total compensation in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021. 

Summary Executive Compensation Table

The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2023, the outstanding options, unvested restricted share units and shares that we granted to our current directors and executive officers.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to beneficial ownership of our Class A ordinary shares as of June 30, 2023, for each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our Class A ordinary shares, and all of our executive officers and directors individually and as a group. It reflects the one-for-five Reverse Stock Split we effected on December 27, 2019 and the two classes of shares approved by our shareholders on April 5, 2021: Class A ordinary shares, with one vote per share, and Class B ordinary shares, with fifteen votes per share. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting or investment power with respect to the securities. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Class A and Class B ordinary shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on shares, which consists of 41,703,218 Class A shares and 7,100,000 Class B shares outstanding as of October 23, 2023, 627,444 vested restricted shares and 80,000 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days after October 23, 2023. The 80,000 shares subject to options and restricted shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the individual holding such shares, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage for any other person shown in the table. Our major shareholders do not possess voting rights that differ from our other shareholders. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of the below shareholders is c/o Recon Technology Ltd, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

Transactions with Related Persons

Sales to related party consisted of the following:

Other payables consisted of the following:

The Company also had short-term borrowings from related parties. Below is a summary of the Company’s short-term borrowings due to related parties as of June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

The Company also had long-term borrowings from a related party. Below is a summary of the Company’s long-term borrowings due to a related party as of June 30, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Leases from related parties – The Company has various agreements for the lease of office space owned by the Founders and their family members. The terms of the agreement state that the Company will continue to lease the property at a monthly rent of ¥94,167 ($12,986) with annual rental expense at ¥1.13 million ($0.15 million). The details of leases from related parties are as below:

Expenses paid by the owner on behalf of Recon – Shareholders and founders of the VIEs paid certain operating expenses for the Company. As of June 30, 2022 and 2023, ¥2,240,135 and ¥2,592,395($357,508) was due to them, respectively.

Guarantee/collateral related parties – The Company’s founders provide guarantee and collateral for the Company’s short-term bank loans. (see Note 13 of the Company’s 20-F)

Other than as described herein, no transactions required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K have occurred since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year.

Director Independence

The board of directors maintains a majority of independent directors who are deemed to be independent under the definition of independence provided by NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 4200(a)(15). Mr. Wong, Mr. Hu, Mr. Zhao and Dr. Duan are our independent directors.

PROPOSAL 2: 

TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ENROME LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024

(ITEM 2 ON THE PROXY CARD) 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT AND FEES PAID TO

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Who served on the Audit Committee of the Board during fiscal year 2023?

The members of the Audit Committee as of June 30, 2023 were Nelson N. S. Wong, Shudong Zhao and Jijun Hu. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent under the rules of the SEC and the NASDAQ Capital Market. The Board has determined that Mr. Wong, who is an independent director, is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act.

What document governs the activities of the Audit Committee?

The Audit Committee acts under a written charter, which sets forth its responsibilities and duties, as well as requirements for the Audit Committee’s composition and meetings. The Audit Committee Charter is available on the Company’s website at www.recon.cn under Investor Relations.

How does the Audit Committee conduct its meetings?

During fiscal year 2023, the Audit Committee met with the senior members of the Company’s financial management team and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee’s agenda was established by the Chairman. At each meeting, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed various financial and regulatory issues. The Audit Committee also had private, separate sessions from time to time with representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, at which meetings candid discussions of financial management, accounting and internal control issues took place.

Does the Audit Committee review the periodic reports and other public financial disclosures of the Company?

The Audit Committee reviews each of the Company’s annual reports, including Management’s Discussion of Results of Operations and Financial Condition. As part of this review, the Audit Committee discusses the reports with the Company’s management and considers the audit and review reports prepared by the independent registered public accounting firm about the Company’s quarterly and annual reports, as well as related matters such as the quality (and not just the acceptability) of the Company’s accounting principles, alternative methods of accounting under generally accepted accounting principles and the preferences of the independent registered public accounting firm in this regard, the Company’s critical accounting policies and the clarity and completeness of the Company’s financial and other disclosures.

What is the role of the Audit Committee in connection with the financial statements and controls of the Company?

Management of the Company has primary responsibility for the financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm has responsibility for the audit of the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The responsibility of the Audit Committee is to oversee financial and control matters, among other responsibilities fulfilled by the Audit Committee under its charter. The Audit Committee meets regularly with the independent registered public accounting firm, without the presence of management, to ensure candid and constructive discussions about the Company’s compliance with accounting standards and best practices among public companies comparable in size and scope to the Company. The Audit Committee also regularly reviews with its outside advisors material developments in the law and accounting literature that may be pertinent to the Company’s financial reporting practices.

What has the Audit Committee done with regard to the Company’s audited financial statements for fiscal 2023?

The Audit Committee has:

Has the Audit Committee considered the independence of the Company’s auditors?

Enrome LLP and Marcum Asia CPAs, LLP have supplied the Audit Committee with written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No.1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, and the Audit Committee has discussed Enrome LLP’s and Marcum Asia CPAs, LLP’s independence with Enrome LLP and Marcum Asia CPAs, LLP, respectively. The Audit Committee has concluded that Enrome LLP and previously, Marcum Asia CPAs, LLP are independent from the Company and its management.

Has the Audit Committee made a recommendation regarding the audited financial statements for fiscal year 2023?

Based upon its review and the discussions with management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements for the Company be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for fiscal year 2023.

Has the Audit Committee reviewed the fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during fiscal year 2023?

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the fees paid to Enrome LLP and Marcum Asia CPAs LLP during fiscal year 2023 for audit, audit-related, tax and other services, which are set forth below under “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of non-audit services is compatible with Enrome LLP’s and Marcum Asia CPAs LLP’s independence.

What is the Company’s policy regarding the retention of the Company’s auditors?

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy regarding the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm that requires pre-approval of all services by the Audit Committee.

Who prepared this report?

This report has been furnished by the members of the Audit Committee as of June 30, 2023:

Nelson N.S. Wong, Chairman

Shudong Zhao

Jijun Hu

FEES PAID TO INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Fees

During fiscal years 2022, Friedman LLP��s audit fees were $260,000. During fiscal year 2023, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP ’s audit fees were $ 181,800. Enrome LLP’s audit fees were $190,000.

Audit-Related Fees

The Company paid $25,000 to Friedman LLP for audit-related services in fiscal years 2022. The Company will pay $24,000 to Enrome LLP for audit-related services.

Tax Fees

The Company has not incurred any tax fees from Friedman LLP, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP and Enrome LLP for tax services in fiscal years 2023 and 2022.

All Other Fees

The Company has not incurred any other fees from Friedman LLP, Marcum Asia CPAs LLP and Enrome LLP in fiscal years 2023 and 2022.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies

Before Enrome LLP was engaged by the Company to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement was approved by the Company’s audit committee. All services rendered by Enrome LLP have been so approved. 

Percentage of Hours

The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountants’ engagement to audit our consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2023 that were attributed to work performed by persons other than Enrome LLP’s full-time permanent employees was less than 5%. 

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF ENROME LLP

AS THE COMPANY’S FISCAL YEAR 2024 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

PROPOSAL 3

AMENDMENT TO THE SHARE CONSOLIDATION
(ITEM 3 ON THE PROXY CARD)

General

The Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and the shareholders and is hereby soliciting shareholder approval to effect a reverse stock split (or share consolidation as a matter of Cayman Islands law) of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares at a ratio ranging from one-for-fifteen to one-for-forty, with the exact ratio to be selected at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board (the “Reverse Stock Split”), on the effective date as determined by the Board, but must be on or before March 29, 2024.

The Reverse Stock Split may be passed by ordinary resolutions which require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting by the Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on such proposals, either in person, by proxy or by authorized representative. If our stockholders approve this proposal, our Board will have the authority, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion and without further action on the part of our shareholders, to select the Reverse Stock Split ratio among one-for-fifteen through one-for-forty and implement the Reverse Stock Split by filing the Reverse Stock Split resolution with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies at any time after the approval of the Reverse Stock Split on March 29, 2024.

The Reverse Stock Split will be implemented simultaneously for all Class A ordinary shares that are issued and outstanding, all shares issuable under outstanding options and warrants. The Reverse Stock Split will affect all shareholders uniformly and will have no effect on the proportionate holdings of any individual shareholder, with the exception of adjustments related to the treatment of fractional shares (see below). 

Purpose of the Reverse Stock Split

The Company’s Class A ordinary shares are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “RCON.” Among other requirements, the listing maintenance standards established by Nasdaq require the ordinary shares to have a minimum closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share. Pursuant to the Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”), if the closing bid price of the ordinary shares is not equal to or greater than $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days, Nasdaq will send a deficiency notice to the Company. Thereafter, if the ordinary shares do not close at a minimum bid price of $1.00 or more for 10 consecutive trading days within 180 calendar days of the deficiency notice, Nasdaq may determine to delist the ordinary shares.

On April 27, 2023, the Company received a notification letter (the “Notice”) from NASDAQ advising the Company that for 30 consecutive business days preceding the date of the Notice, the bid price of the Company’s ordinary shares had closed below the $1.00 per share minimum required for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market pursuant to the Minimum Bid Price Rule. The Company was provided 180 calendar days, or until October 24, 2023, to regain compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule.

On October 25, 2023, NASDAQ granted the “Company an additional 180 calendar days, or until April 22, 2024, to regain compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum bid price required for continued listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market pursuant to the “Minimum Bid Price Rule.

In the latter part of January 2024, the Company determined that it would not be in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Rule by April 22, 2024, which would subject the Company’s ordinary shares to delisting from Nasdaq. Therefore, the Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interest of the Company to solicit the approval of the shareholders to effect a reverse split of the Company’s ordinary shares. The Board of Directors reasonably believes that without receiving the shareholders’ approval and without the closing price of the ordinary shares otherwise meeting the $1.00 minimum closing bid price requirement, the Company’s ordinary shares will be delisted from Nasdaq.

In the event the ordinary shares were no longer eligible for continued listing on Nasdaq, the Company could be forced to seek to be traded on the OTC Bulletin Board or in the “pink sheets.” These alternative markets are generally considered to be less efficient than, and not as broad as, Nasdaq, and therefore less desirable. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes delisting of the ordinary shares would likely have a negative impact on the liquidity and market price of the ordinary shares and may increase the spread between the “bid” and “ask” prices quoted by market makers.

The Board of Directors has considered the potential harm to the Company of a delisting from Nasdaq and believes that delisting could, among other things, adversely affect (i) the trading price of the ordinary shares, and (ii) the liquidity and marketability of the ordinary shares. This could reduce the ability of holders of the ordinary shares to purchase or sell ordinary shares as quickly and as inexpensively as they have done historically.

Delisting could also adversely affect the Company’s relationships with customers who may perceive the Company’s business less favorably, which would have a detrimental effect on the Company’s relationships with these entities.

Furthermore, if the ordinary shares were no longer listed on Nasdaq, it may reduce the Company’s access to capital and cause the Company to have less flexibility in responding to its capital requirements. Certain institutional investors may also be less interested or prohibited from investing in the ordinary shares, which may cause the market price of the ordinary shares to decline. 

Selection of Reverse Stock Split Ratios

In determining which Reverse Stock Split ratio to implement among one-for-fifteen through one-for-forty, if any, following receipt of shareholder approval, our Board may consider, among other things, various factors such as:

If our shareholders approve the Reverse Stock Split, it is expected that the Reverse Stock Split will only be implemented if needed to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq. However, the Board hopes not to implement the Reverse Stock Split and reserves the right to abandon the Reverse Stock Split at any time prior to filing the Reverse Stock Split resolution if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split is not needed to maintain our listing on the Nasdaq and is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

Registration and Trading of our Ordinary shares

The Reverse Stock Split will not affect the registration of our Class A ordinary shares or our obligation to publicly file financial and other information with the SEC. When the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, our Class A ordinary shares will begin trading on a post-split basis on the effective date that we announce by press release. In connection with the reverse stock split, the CUSIP number of our Class A ordinary shares (which is an identifier used by participants in the securities industry to identify our Class A ordinary shares) will change.

Fractional Shares

No fractional ordinary shares will be issued to any shareholders in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Each Shareholder will be entitled to receive one ordinary share    in lieu of the fractional share that would have resulted from the Reverse Stock Split.

Authorized Shares

At the time the Reverse Stock Split is effective, our authorized ordinary shares will be consolidated at the same ratio.

Street Name Holders of Ordinary shares

The Company intends for the Reverse Stock Split to treat shareholders holding ordinary shares in street name through a nominee (such as a bank or broker) in the same manner as shareholders whose shares are registered in their names. Nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders. However, nominees may have different procedures. Accordingly, shareholders holding ordinary shares in street name should contact their nominees.

Stock Certificates

Mandatory surrender of certificates is not required by our shareholders. The Company’s transfer agent will adjust the record books of the Company to reflect the Reverse Stock Split as of the Effective Date. New certificates will not be mailed to shareholders.

Resolutions

The Board proposes to solicit shareholder approval to effect a reverse stock split (or share consolidation as a matter of Cayman Islands law) of the Company’s ordinary shares at one of the ratios as set out below (ranging from one-for-fifteen through one-for-forty) in the form of shareholder resolutions, the shareholders to approve each ratio and to grant the Board a discretion to determine the most appropriate ratio and such consolidation to be effective on such date as is determined by the Board.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF THE COMPANY'S CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES.  UNLESS REVOKED AS PROVIDED ABOVE, PROXIES RECEIVED BY MANAGEMENT WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH APPROVAL UNLESS A CONTRARY VOTE IS SPECIFIED.

PROPOSAL 4:

AMENDMENTS TO THE AUTHORIZED SHARE CAPITAL

(ITEM 4 ON THE PROXY CARD)

1. Previous Change In Share Capital

On April 5, 2021, the Company held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved a special resolution that the authorized US$15,725,000 of the Company be amended from US$1,850,000 divided into 20,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, to US$15,725,000 divided into 150,000,000 Class A ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 (¥0.62) each, and 20,000,000 Class B ordinary shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 (¥0.62) each. The change from ordinary shares to Class A ordinary shares is reflected with the NASDAQ Capital Market and in the marketplace at the open of business on April 12, 2021, whereupon the Class A ordinary shares began trading. The Company’s Class A ordinary shares continued to trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “RCON” and under the CUSIP Number of G7415M124. Holders of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A ordinary share shall be entitled to one (1) vote on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B ordinary share shall be entitled to fifteen (15) votes on all matters subject to vote at general meetings of the Company.

2.  Proposed Increase and Amendment to the Authorized Share Capital

On January 30, 2024, the Board of the Company approved, and directed that there be submitted to the shareholders of the Company by special resolutions for approval, the proposed amendment to the Company’s authorized share capital be further amended immediately following the Share Consolidation becoming effect, as follows (although to be determined and confirmed at the AGM):

From: US$53,650,000 divided into [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$[●] each, and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each,

To: US$58,000 divided into 500,000,000 Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each and 80,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0001 each,

By: first, the creation of [●] Class A Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 and 60,000,000 Class B Ordinary Shares of a nominal or par value of US$0.0925 each, each having the rights and subject to the restrictions set out in the Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Association adopted pursuant to the resolutions below, second a subdivision of all shares at a ratio of [●] such that each Class A Share of US$[●] par value shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and each Class B Share shall become [●] Shares with a par value of US$0.0001 each, and third, a capital reduction whereby [●] authorized but unissued Class A Shares and [●] authorized but unissued Class B Shares are cancelled; and that as a result of the Amendment, each Member shall retain that number of Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares held in their name, as adjusted to account for the Share Consolidation and subsequent Amendment

The favorable vote of a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at this Annual Meeting is required to approve the proposed increase and amendment to our authorized share capital.

3. Potential Adverse Effects of Amendment

Future issuances of Class B ordinary shares or securities convertible into Class B ordinary shares could have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, book value per share and the voting power and interest of current holders of ordinary shares which will be converted into the Class A ordinary shares on a 1:1 basis. In addition, the availability of additional shares of Class A ordinary shares for issuance could, under certain circumstances, discourage or make more difficult any efforts to obtain control of the Company. The Board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company, nor is this proposal being presented with the intent that it be used to prevent or discourage any acquisition attempt. However, nothing would prevent the Board from taking any such actions that it deems to be consistent with its fiduciary duties.

4. Effectiveness of Amendment

If the proposed amendments are adopted, they will become effective upon the approval of the shareholders meeting. Any purchase price paid by shareholders above US$0.0001 each shall be moved from that shareholder’s capital account to their share premium account, and the relevant books and records of the Company shall be amended accordingly.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL
OF THE INCREASE TO OUR AUTHORIZED SHARE CAPITAL.

PROPOSAL 5
APPROVAL OF THE FOURTH M&AA
(ITEM 5 ON THE PROXY CARD)

What am I voting on?

In connection with the proposed amendments to our authorized share capital stated in Proposal 3, the Board of the Company approved, and directed that there be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval, the Fourth M&AA.

What is the Text of the Changes to the Third M&AA?

The text of the proposed Fourth M&AA is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

References to the Fourth M&AA in the summary below are to the sections reflected in Annex A and not necessarily the Fourth M&AA in effect as of the date hereof. The description of the proposed changes to the Fourth M&AA contained in this proxy statement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirely by reference to the full text of the form of the Fourth M&AA attached to this proxy statement as Annex A.

In the form of the Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association:

In the form of the Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Association:

The favorable vote of a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at this Annual Meeting is required to approve the proposed amendment to our authorized share capital.

If the proposal is approved by our shareholders, the Company’s registered agent will file the Fourth M&AA with Cayman Islands Registry of Companies.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE FORM OF THE FOURTH M&AA.

PROPOSAL 6

APPROVAL OF THE 2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

(ITEM 6 ON THE PROXY CARD)

What am I voting on?

In connection with the proposed amendment to our authorized share capital stated in the proposal 3, on January 30, 2024, the Board of the Company adopted the 2024 Plan, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Board believes that the 2024 Plan will advance the long-term success of the Company.   

What is the Text of the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan?

The text of the proposed 2024 Plan is set forth in Annex B to this proxy statement and is incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

References to the 2024 Plan in the summary below are to the sections reflected in Annex B and not necessarily the 2024 Plan in effect as of the date hereof. The description of the proposed changes to the 2024 Plan contained in this proxy statement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirely by reference to the full text of the form of the 2024 Plan attached to this proxy statement as Annex B.

How is the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan administered?

The 2024 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. The 2024 Plan provides the Compensation Committee with flexibility to design compensatory awards that are responsive to the Company’s needs. Subject to the terms of the 2024 Plan, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine the terms of each award.

What kind of awards may be granted?

Awards under the 2024 Plan may be in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified incentive stock options, restricted stock, or Class B ordinary share awards for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer only.

Who is eligible to receive awards?

Employees of the Company, officers, employee and non-employee directors may all be selected by the Compensation Committee to receive awards under the 2024 Plan. The benefits or amounts that may be received by or allocated to participants under the 2024 Plan will be determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and are not presently determinable.

When does the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan terminate?

Our Board may terminate the 2024 Plan at any time. If not sooner terminated by the Board, the 2024 Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of its effective date.

How can 2024 Equity Incentive Plan be amended?

The 2024 Plan may be amended by the Board, but without further approval by the shareholders of the Company, the Board shall not amend the 2024 Plan in any manner that requires shareholder approval under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Board may condition any amendment on the approval of the shareholders if such approval is necessary or deemed advisable with respect to the applicable listing or other requirements of a national securities exchange or other applicable laws, policies or regulations.

Where can I get a copy of 2024 Equity Incentive Plan?

This summary is not a complete description of all provisions of the 2024 Plan. A copy of the 2024 Plan is attached hereto as Annex B.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE 2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

AUTHORIZE COMPANY’S REGISTERED OFFICE PROVIDER TO FILE THE FOURTH M&AA

(ITEM 7 ON THE PROXY CARD)

What am I voting on?

In connection with the approval of the Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, the proposed ordinary resolution authorizes and instructs the Company’s registered office service provider and/or registered transfer agent (as applicable) be authorized and instructed to update the Company’s registers and to file the Fourth M&AA with the Registrar of Companies for and on behalf of the Company.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE TO AUTHORIZE THE COMPANY’S REGISTERED OFFICE SERVICE PROVIDER AND/OR REGISTERED TRANSFER AGENT (AS APPLICABLE) BE AUTHORIZED AND INSTRUCTED TO UPDATE THE COMPANY’S REGISTERS AND TO FILE THE FOURTH M&AA WITH THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY.

GENERAL

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the Board who served on the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 were officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or had any relationship with the Company requiring disclosure under SEC regulations.

Compliance with Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission reports of ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of the Company’s ordinary shares. Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent shareholders are required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of these reports furnished to the Company or written representations that no other reports were required, we believe that all reports were timely made.

Availability of Form 20-F to Shareholders

Rules promulgated by the SEC require us to provide an Annual Report to shareholders who receive this proxy statement. We will also provide copies of the Annual Report to brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees and their nominees for the benefit of their beneficial owners of record. Additional copies of the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 (without exhibits or documents incorporated by reference), are available without charge to shareholders upon written request to Secretary, Recon Technology, Ltd, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China, by calling +86 (10)-8494 5799 or via the Internet at www.recon.cn.

Shareholder Proposals

To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement or considered at next year’s annual meeting but not included in the proxy statement, shareholder proposals must be submitted in writing to: Secretary, Recon Technology, Ltd, Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China. We are not obligated to include shareholder proposals in our annual proxy statements as a foreign private issuer, but we will consider proposals submitted in writing in this way. 

Shareholders Sharing an Address

We may send a single set of shareholder documents to any household at which two or more shareholders reside. This process is called “householding.” This reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps us to reduce costs. Your materials may be householded based on your prior express or implied consent. If your materials have been householded and you wish to receive separate copies of these documents, or if you are receiving duplicate copies of these documents and wish to have the information householded, you may write or call the following address or phone number: Secretary, Recon Technology, Ltd., Room 601, No. 1 Shui’an South Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100012, People’s Republic of China; +86 (10) 8494 5799.

Other Matters to Come Before the Meeting

The Board is not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, only the business described in the notice of the Annual Meeting of the shareholders will be conducted at such meeting.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this proxy statement. This means that the Company can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC.  The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this proxy statement or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated by reference herein.

This proxy statement incorporates by reference our Annual Report on Form 20-F the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on October 30, 2023.  

Annex A

Form of Fourth Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS REVISED)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION OF

RECON TECHNOLOGY, LTD

(Amended and Restated by Special Resolutions adopted on [●], 2024)

THE COMPANIES ACT (AS REVISED)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF RECON TECHNOLOGY, LTD

Adopted by Special Resolution on [●], 2024

Words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice-versa.

Words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender.

Words importing persons include corporations.

CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES

ISSUE OF SHARES

REGISTER OF MEMBERS AND SHARE CERTIFICATES

TRANSFER OF SHARES

REDEEMABLE SHARES

VARIATION OF RIGHTS OF SHARES

COMMISSION ON SALE OF SHARES

NON-RECOGNITION OF TRUSTS

LIEN ON SHARES

CALL ON SHARES

FORFEITURE OF SHARES

REGISTRATION OF EMPOWERING INSTRUMENTS

TRANSMISSION OF SHARES

RIGHTS CONFERRED BY CLASS A ORDINARY SHARES AND CLASS B ORDINARY SHARES

AMENDMENT OF MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION, ALTERATION OF CAPITAL & CHANGE OF LOCATION OF REGISTERED OFFICE

¹ To be confirmed at AGM.

CLOSING REGISTER OF MEMBERS OR FIXING RECORD DATE

GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS

(b)     For matters other than for the nomination for election of a Director to be made by a Member of the Company, to be timely, such Member’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual general meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual general meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days or delayed by more than sixty (60) days from such anniversary date, notice by a Member to be timely must be delivered not earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual general meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth (60th) day prior to such annual general meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made.

(c)    To be in proper written form, a Member’s notice to the Secretary must set forth as to such matter such Member proposes to bring before the annual general meeting (1) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual general meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual general meeting, (2) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the Member proposing such business and any Member Associated Person (as defined below), (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by such Member or any Member Associated Person and any derivative positions held or beneficially held by the Member or any Member Associated Person, (4) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of such Member or any Member Associated Person with respect to any securities of the Company, and a description of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit from share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of, such Member or any Member Associated Person with respect to any securities of the corporation, (5) any material interest of the Member or a Member Associated Person in such business, and (6) a statement whether either such Member or any Member Associated Person will deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Company’s voting shares required under applicable law. For purposes of this Article 43(c), a “Member Associated Person” of any Member shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such Member, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of the Company owned of record or beneficially by such Member and on whose behalf the proposal or nomination, as the case may be, is being made, or (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person referred to in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii).

(d)     No business shall be conducted at the annual general meeting except business brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article, provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Article shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any Member of any such business. If the Chairman of an annual general meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual general meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.

(e)     In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination for election of a Director to be made by a Member of the Company, such Member must (A) be a Member of record on both (x) the date of the giving of the notice by such Member provided for in this Article and (y) the record date for the determination of Members entitled to vote at such annual general meeting; (B) have held at least 100,000 Class A Ordinary Shares or Class B Ordinary Shares for at least twelve (12) months; and (C) have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Company. If a Member is entitled to vote only for a specific class or category of directors at a meeting of the Members, such Member’s right to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at the meeting shall be limited to such class or category of directors.

(f)     To be timely for purposes of Article 41(e) in connection with the annual general meeting, a Member’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company. In the event the Company calls an extraordinary general meeting for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any Member entitled to vote for the election of such director(s) at such meeting and satisfying the requirements specified above may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as are specified in the Company’s notice of such meeting, but only if the Member notice required hereof shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Company. The period for lodgment of the notices by a Member referred to in this Article shall commence no earlier than the day after the dispatch of the notice of the meeting appointed for such election and end no later than (7) days prior to the date of such meeting and shall be for a minimum period of seven (7) days .

(g)     To be in proper written form for purposes of Article 43(e), a Member’s notice to the Secretary must be set forth (A) as to each person whom the Member proposes to nominate for election as a director (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (2) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (3) the class or series and number of shares of the Company, if any, which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (4) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to any Exchange Rules; and (B) as to the Member giving notice (1) the name and record address of such Member, (2) the class or series and number of Shares of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by such Member, (3) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such Member and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such Member, (4) a representation that such Member intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate the person(s) named in its notice and (5) any other information relating to such Member that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to any Exchange Rules. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

(h)     No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Articles under this heading of “NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS”. If the Chairman of an annual general meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the Chairman shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.

PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS

VOTES OF MEMBERS

PROXIES

DIRECTORS

ALTERNATE DIRECTORS

POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

MANAGEMENT

MANAGING DIRECTORS

PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS

VACATION OF OFFICE OF DIRECTOR

APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

PRESUMPTION OF ASSENT

SEAL

OFFICERS

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND RESERVE

CAPITALIZATION

BOOKS OF ACCOUNT

AUDIT

NOTICES

WINDING UP

INDEMNITY

FINANCIAL YEAR

AMENDMENTS OF ARTICLES

TRANSFER BY WAY OF CONTINUATION

Annex B

2024 Equity Incentive Plan

RECON TECHNOLOGY, LTD
2024 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.                  Purpose. The purpose of the Recon Technology, Ltd 2024 Equity Incentive Plan is to provide a means through which the Company and its Affiliates may attract and retain key personnel and to provide a means whereby directors, officers, managers, employees, consultants and advisors (and prospective directors, officers, managers, employees, consultants and advisors) of the Company and its Affiliates can acquire and maintain an equity interest in the Company, or be paid incentive compensation, which may (but need not) be measured by reference to the value of Class A and/or Class B Ordinary Shares, thereby strengthening their commitment to the welfare of the Company and its Affiliates and aligning their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders.

2.                  Definitions. The following definitions shall be applicable throughout this Plan:

(a)               “Affiliate” means (i) any person or entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company and/or (ii) to the extent provided by the Committee, any person or entity in which the Company has a significant interest as determined by the Committee in its discretion. The term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any person or entity, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting or other securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b)               “Award” means, individually or collectively, any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Bonus Award and Performance Compensation Award granted under this Plan.

(c)               “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d)               “Business Combination” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

(e)               “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by federal law or executive order to be closed.

(f)                “Cause” means, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise, (i) the Company or an Affiliate having “cause” to terminate a Participant’s employment or service, as defined in any employment or consulting agreement or similar document or policy between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate in effect at the time of such termination or (ii) in the absence of any such employment or consulting agreement, document or policy (or the absence of any definition of “Cause” contained therein), (A) a continuing material breach or material default (including, without limitation, any material dereliction of duty) by Participant of any agreement between the Participant and the Company, except for any such breach or default which is caused by the physical disability of the Participant (as determined by a neutral physician), or a continuing failure by the Participant to follow the direction of a duly authorized representative of the Company; (B) gross negligence, willful misfeasance or breach of fiduciary duty by the Participant; (C) the commission by the Participant of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of the Company or its Affiliate’s assets or any felony or other crime of dishonesty in connection with the Participant’s duties; (D) conviction of the Participant of a felony or any other crime that would materially and adversely affect: (i) the business reputation of the Company or (ii) the performance of the Participant’s duties to the Company, or (E) failure by a Participant to follow the lawful directions of a superior officer or the Board. Any determination of whether Cause exists shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(g)               “Change in Control” shall, in the case of a particular Award, unless the applicable Award agreement states otherwise or contains a different definition of “Change in Control,” be deemed to occur upon:

(i)       An acquisition (whether directly from the Company or otherwise) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), immediately after which such Person has ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities.

(ii)       The individuals who constitute the members of the Board cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least forty percent (40%) of the members of the Board; or

(iii)       The consummation of any of the following events:

(A)       A merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) above would be the result;

(B)       A liquidation or dissolution of or appointment of a receiver, rehabilitator, conservator or similar person for, or the filing by a third party of an involuntary bankruptcy against, the Company; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the occurrence of an event described in this subsection (B) shall not permit the settlement of Restricted Stock Units granted under this Plan; or

(C)       An agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a subsidiary of the Company).

(h)               “Class A Ordinary Shares” means the Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such ordinary shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

(i)               “Class B Ordinary Shares” means the Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (and any stock or other securities into which such ordinary shares may be converted or into which they may be exchanged).

(j)               “Closing Price” means (A) during such time as the Class A Ordinary Shares are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the closing price of the Class A Ordinary Shares as reported by an established stock exchange or automated quotation system on the day for which such value is to be determined, or, if no sale of the Class A Ordinary Shares shall have been made on any such stock exchange or automated quotation system that day, on the next preceding day on which there was a sale of such Class A Ordinary Shares, or (B) during any such time as the Class A Ordinary Shares are not listed upon an established stock exchange or automated quotation system, the mean between dealer “bid” and “ask” prices of the Class A Ordinary Shares in the over-the-counter market on the day for which such value is to be determined, as reported by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or (C) during any such time as the Class A Ordinary Shares cannot be valued pursuant to (A) or (B) above, the fair market value shall be as determined by the Committee considering all relevant information including, by example and not by limitation, the services of an independent appraiser.

(k)               “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto. References in this Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, regulations or guidance.

(l)                “Committee” means a committee of at least two people as the Board may appoint to administer this Plan or, if no such committee has been appointed by the Board, the Board. Unless altered by an action of the Board, the Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(m)              “Company” means Recon Technology, Ltd, a Cayman Island company, together with its successors and assigns.

(n)               “Date of Grant” means the date on which the granting of an Award is authorized, or such other date as may be specified in such authorization.

(o)               “Disability”. As to an Incentive Stock Option, a Disability means permanent and total disability as defined in section 22 (e) (3) of the Code. As to other Awards, a Disability means a “permanent and total” disability incurred by a Participant while in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate. For this purpose, a permanent and total disability shall mean that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

(p)               “Effective Date” means the date when the Plan is adopted by the Board.

(q)               “Eligible Director” means a person who is (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, and (ii) an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(r)               “Eligible Person” means regarding Class A Ordinary Shares, any (i) individual employed by the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that no such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement shall be an Eligible Person unless and to the extent that such eligibility is set forth in such collective bargaining agreement or in an agreement or instrument relating thereto; (ii) director of the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) consultant or advisor to the Company or an Affiliate, provided that if the Securities Act applies such persons must be eligible to be offered securities registrable on Form S-8 under the Securities Act; or (iv) prospective employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who have accepted offers of employment or consultancy from the Company or its Affiliates (and would satisfy the provisions of clauses (i) through (iii) above once he or she begins employment with or begins providing services to the Company or its Affiliates), or regarding Class B Ordinary Shares, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Technology Officer employed by the Company.

(sr)              “Exchange Act” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control,” and any reference in this Plan to any section of (or rule promulgated under) the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other interpretative guidance under such section or rule, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(t)                “Exercise Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(b) of this Plan.

(u)               “Fair Market Value”, unless otherwise provided by the Committee in accordance with all applicable laws, rules regulations and standards, means, on a given date, (i) if the Ordinary Shares (A) are listed on a national securities exchange or (B) are not listed on a national securities exchange, but are quoted by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. (www.otcmarkets.com) or any successor or alternative recognized over-the-counter market or another inter-dealer quotation system, on a last sale basis, the average selling price of the Ordinary Shares reported on such national securities exchange or other inter-dealer quotation system, determined as the arithmetic mean of such selling prices over the thirty (30)-Business Day period preceding the Date of Grant, weighted based on the volume of trading of such Ordinary Shares on each trading day during such period; or (ii) if the Ordinary Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system on a last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee in good faith to be the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares.

(v)               “Immediate Family Members” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b) of this Plan.

(w)              “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that is designated by the Committee as an incentive stock option as described in Section 422 of the Code and otherwise meets the requirements set forth in this Plan.

(x)               “Indemnifiable Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) of this Plan.

(y)               “Intellectual Property Products” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(c) of this Plan.

(z)               “Mature Shares” means Ordinary Shares owned by a Participant that are not subject to any pledge or security interest and that have been either previously acquired by the Participant on the open market or meet such other requirements, if any, as the Committee may determine are necessary in order to avoid an accounting earnings charge on account of the use of such shares to pay the Exercise Price or satisfy a withholding obligation of the Participant.

(aa)             “Negative Discretion” shall mean the discretion authorized by this Plan to be applied by the Committee to eliminate or reduce the size of a Performance Compensation Award consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code.

(bb)            “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not designated by the Committee as an Incentive Stock Option.

(cc)             “Ordinary Share” means the Class A Ordinary Shares and/or Class B Ordinary Shares, of the Company.

(dd)            “Option” means an Award granted under Section 7 of this Plan.

(ee)             “Option Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 7(c) of this Plan.

(ff)              “Participant” means an Eligible Person who has been selected by the Committee to participate in this Plan and to receive an Award pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan.

(gg)            “Performance Compensation Award” shall mean any Award designated by the Committee as a Performance Compensation Award pursuant to Section 11 of this Plan.

(hh)             “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criterion or criteria that the Committee shall select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Performance Period with respect to any Performance Compensation Award under this Plan.

(ii)               “Performance Formula” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more objective formulae applied against the relevant Performance Goal to determine, with regard to the Performance Compensation Award of a particular Participant, whether all, some portion but less than all, or none of the Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period.

(jj)               “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria.

(kk)              “Performance Period” shall mean the one or more periods of time, as the Committee may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Compensation Award.

(ll)               “Permitted Transferee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 15(b) of this Plan.

(mm)           “Person” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

(nn)            “Plan” means this Recon Technology, Ltd 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

(oo)            “Retirement” means the fulfillment of each of the following conditions: (i) the Participant is good standing with the Company as determined by the Committee; (ii) the voluntary termination by a Participant of such Participant’s employment or service to the Company and (B) that at the time of such voluntary termination, the sum of: (1) the Participant’s age (calculated to the nearest month, with any resulting fraction of a year being calculated as the number of months in the year divided by 12) and (2) the Participant’s years of employment or service with the Company (calculated to the nearest month, with any resulting fraction of a year being calculated as the number of months in the year divided by 12) equals at least 62 (provided that, in any case, the foregoing shall only be applicable if, at the time of Retirement, the Participant shall be at least 55 years of age and shall have been employed by or served with the Company for no less than 5 years).

(pp)             “Restricted Period” means the period of time determined by the Committee during which an Award is subject to restrictions or, as applicable, the period of time within which performance is measured for purposes of determining whether an Award has been earned.

(qq)            “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Ordinary Shares, cash, other securities or other property, subject to certain restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of this Plan.

(rr)              “Restricted Stock” means Ordinary Shares, subject to certain specified restrictions (including, without limitation, a requirement that the Participant remain continuously employed or provide continuous services for a specified period of time), granted under Section 9 of this Plan.

(ss)             “SAR Period” has the meaning given such term in Section 8(c) of this Plan.

(tt)               “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor thereto. Reference in this Plan to any section of the Securities Act shall be deemed to include any rules, regulations or other official interpretative guidance under such section, and any amendments or successor provisions to such section, rules, regulations or guidance.

(uu)             “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award granted under Section 8 of this Plan which meets all of the requirements of Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(i)(B) of the Treasury Regulations.

(vv)             “Stock Bonus Award” means an Award granted under Section 10 of this Plan.

(ww)           “Strike Price” means, except as otherwise provided by the Committee in the case of Substitute Awards, (i) in the case of a SAR granted in tandem with an Option, the Exercise Price of the related Option, or (ii) in the case of a SAR granted independent of an Option, the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant.

(xx)              “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(i)                 any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Outstanding Company Voting Securities (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(ii)               any partnership or limited liability company (or any comparable foreign entity) (a) the sole general partner or managing member (or functional equivalent thereof) or the managing general partner of which is such Person or Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners or managing members (or functional equivalents thereof) of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

(yy)            “Substitute Award” has the meaning given such term in Section 5(e).

(zz)             “Treasury Regulations” means any regulations, whether proposed, temporary or final, promulgated by the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Code, and any successor provisions.

(aaa)            “Voting Securities” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Change in Control.”

3.                  Effective Date; Duration. The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, but no Award shall be exercised or paid (or, in the case of a stock Award, shall be granted unless contingent on stockholder approval) unless and until this Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months after the Effective Date. The expiration date of this Plan, on and after which date no Awards may be granted hereunder, shall be March 29, 2034, or the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of this Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

4.                  Administration.

(a)               The Committee shall administer this Plan. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (if the Board is not acting as the Committee under this Plan) or necessary to obtain the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, as applicable, it is intended that each member of the Committee shall, at the time he takes any action with respect to an Award under this Plan, be an Eligible Director. However, the fact that a Committee member shall fail to qualify as an Eligible Director shall not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under this Plan. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present or acts approved in writing by a majority of the Committee shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Whether a quorum is present shall be determined based on the Committee’s charter as approved by the Board.

(b)               Subject to the provisions of this Plan and applicable law, the Board shall have the authority and may delegate its authority to the Committee, to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Ordinary Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or suspended; (vi) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances the delivery of cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award; (vii) interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, settle any controversy regarding, correct any defect in and/or complete any omission in this Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award granted under, this Plan; (viii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive any rules, conditions and regulations and appoint such agents as the Committee shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of this Plan; (ix) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of this Plan.

(c)               The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Committee herein, and that may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons (i) subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) who are, or who are reasonably expected to be, “covered employees” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d)               Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to this Plan or any Award or any documents evidencing Awards granted pursuant to this Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons or entities, including, without limitation, the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award, and any stockholder of the Company.

(e)               No member of the Board, the Committee, delegate of the Committee or any employee, advisor or agent of the Company or the Board or the Committee (each such person, an “Indemnifiable Person”) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Indemnifiable Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (and the Company shall pay or reimburse on demand for) any loss, cost, liability, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or incurred by such Indemnifiable Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Indemnifiable Person may be a party or in which such Indemnifiable Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under this Plan or any Award agreement and against and from any and all amounts paid by such Indemnifiable Person with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Indemnifiable Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Indemnifiable Person, provided, that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding and once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to an Indemnifiable Person to the extent that a final judgment or other final adjudication (in either case not subject to further appeal) binding upon such Indemnifiable Person determines that the acts or omissions of such Indemnifiable Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Indemnifiable Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such Indemnifiable Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such Indemnifiable Persons or hold them harmless.

(f)                Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer this Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under this Plan.

5.                  Grant of Awards; Shares Subject to this Plan; Limitations.

(a)               The Committee may, from time to time, grant Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards and/or Performance Compensation Awards to one or more Eligible Persons.

(b)               Subject to Section 3 and Section 12 of this Plan, the Committee is authorized to issue under this Plan, on the first business day of each fiscal year thereafter while the Plan is in effect, the maximum number of Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares available for issuance under this Plan during that fiscal year shall be increased such that, as of such first business day, the maximum aggregate number of Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares available for issuance under this Plan during that fiscal year shall be equal to Fifteen Percent (15%) of the number of total issued and outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares of the Company as recorded by the Company’s transfer agent on the last business day of the prior fiscal year.  Each Class A or Class B Ordinary Share subject to an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right will reduce the number of Class A or Class B Ordinary Shares available for issuance by one share, and each Class A or Class B Ordinary Share underlying an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Bonus Awards and Performance Compensation Awards will reduce the number of Class A or Class B Ordinary Shares available for issuance by one share.

(c)               Ordinary Shares underlying Awards under this Plan that are forfeited, cancelled, expire unexercised or otherwise terminated or not being issued shall be available again for Awards under this Plan during that fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Ordinary Shares shall not be available again for Awards under the Plan: (i) shares tendered or held back upon the exercise of an Option or settlement of an Award to cover the Exercise Price of an Award; (ii) shares that are used or withheld to satisfy tax obligations of the Participant; and (iii) shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR upon exercise thereof.

(d)               Ordinary Shares delivered by the Company in settlement of Awards may be authorized and unissued shares, shares held in the treasury of the Company, shares purchased on the open market or by private purchase, or a combination of the foregoing.

(e)               Subject to compliance with Section 1.409A-3(f) of the Treasury Regulations, Awards may, in the sole discretion of the Committee, be granted under this Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines (“Substitute Awards”). The number of Ordinary Shares underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares available for Awards under this Plan.

6.                  Eligibility. Participation shall be limited to Eligible Persons who have entered into an Award agreement or who have received written notification from the Committee, or from a person designated by the Committee, that they have been selected to participate in this Plan.

7.                  Options.

(a)               Generally. Each Option granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Option so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 7, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. All Options granted under this Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. Notwithstanding any designation of an Option, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of Ordinary Shares with respect to which Options designated as Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such excess Options shall be treated as Nonqualified Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options shall be granted only to Eligible Persons who are employees of the Company and its Affiliates, and no Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any Eligible Person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. No Option shall be treated as an Incentive Stock Option unless this Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company in a manner intended to comply with the stockholder approval requirements of Section 422(b)(1) of the Code, provided that any Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not fail to be effective solely on account of a failure to obtain such approval, but rather such Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option unless and until such approval is obtained. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the terms and conditions of such grant shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code. If for any reason an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option or portion thereof shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under this Plan.

(b)               Exercise Price. The exercise price (“Exercise Price”) per Ordinary Share for each Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such share determined as of the Date of Grant; provided, however, that in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of the grant of such Option, owns shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Affiliate, the Exercise Price per share shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the Date of Grant; and, provided further, that notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Exercise Price shall not be less than the par value per Ordinary Share.

(c)               Vesting and Expiration. Options shall vest and become exercisable in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and as set forth in the applicable Award agreement, and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten (10) years from the Date of Grant, as may be determined by the Committee (the “Option Period”); provided, however, that the Option Period shall not exceed five (5) years from the Date of Grant in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who on the Date of Grant owns shares representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Affiliate; and, provided, further, that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any Option, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such Option other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement:

(i)     an Option shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 100% of the Ordinary Shares subject to such Option on the third (3^rd) anniversary of the Date of Grant;

(ii)   the unvested portion of an Option shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the Option, and the vested portion of such Option shall remain exercisable for:

(A) one year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability (with the determination of Disability to be made by the Committee on a case by case basis), but not later than the expiration of the Option Period;

(B)  for directors, officers and employees of the Company only, for the remainder of the Option Period following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s Retirement (it being understood that any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option if exercise is not undertaken within 90 days of the date of Retirement);

(C)  90 calendar days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, and other than such Participant’s termination of employment or service for Cause, but not later than the expiration of the Option Period; and

(iii) both the unvested and the vested portion of an Option shall immediately expire upon the termination of the Participant’s employment or service by the Company for Cause.

(d)               Method of Exercise and Form of Payment. No Ordinary Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Options that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award agreement accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be payable (i) in cash, check (subject to collection), or at consent of the Committee, in cash equivalent and/or Ordinary Shares that the Participant has owned for at least six months (valued at the Closing Price at the time the Option is exercised, including, pursuant to procedures approved by the Committee, by means of attestation of ownership of a sufficient number of Ordinary Shares in lieu of actual delivery of such shares to the Company); provided, however, that such Ordinary Shares are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares and; (ii) by such other method as the Committee may permit in accordance with applicable law, in its sole discretion, including without limitation: (A) in other property having a fair market value (as determined by the Committee in its discretion) on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price or (B) if there is a public market for the Ordinary Shares at such time, by means of a broker-assisted “cashless exercise” pursuant to which the Company is delivered a copy of irrevocable instructions to a stockbroker to sell the Ordinary Shares otherwise deliverable upon the exercise of the Option and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the Exercise Price or (C) by a “net exercise” method whereby the Company withholds from the delivery of the Ordinary Shares for which the Option was exercised that number of Ordinary Shares having a Closing Price equal to the aggregate Exercise Price for the Ordinary Shares for which the Option was exercised. Any fractional Ordinary Shares shall be settled in cash.

(e)               Notification upon Disqualifying Disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. Each Participant awarded an Incentive Stock Option under this Plan shall notify the Company in writing immediately after the date he makes a disqualifying disposition of any Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option. A disqualifying disposition is any disposition (including, without limitation, any sale) of such Ordinary Shares before the later of (A) two years after the Date of Grant of the Incentive Stock Option or (B) one year after the date of exercise of the Incentive Stock Option. The Company may, if determined by the Committee and in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, retain possession of any Ordinary Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option as agent for the applicable Participant until the end of the period described in the preceding sentence.

(f)                Compliance With Laws, etc. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a Participant be permitted to exercise an Option in a manner that the Committee determines would violate the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, if applicable, or any other applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded.

8.                  Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)               Generally. Each SAR granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each SAR so granted shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 8, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement. Any Option granted under this Plan may include tandem SARs. The Committee also may award SARs to Eligible Persons independent of any Option.

(b)               Vesting and Expiration. A SAR granted in connection with an Option shall become exercisable and shall expire according to the same vesting schedule and expiration provisions as the corresponding Option. A SAR granted independent of an Option shall vest and become exercisable and shall expire in such manner and on such date or dates determined by the Committee and shall expire after such period, not to exceed ten years, as may be determined by the Committee (the “SAR Period”); provided, however, that notwithstanding any vesting dates set by the Committee, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the exercisability of any SAR, which acceleration shall not affect the terms and conditions of such SAR other than with respect to exercisability. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement:

(i)     a SAR shall vest and become exercisable with respect to 100% of the Ordinary Shares subject to such SAR on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant;

(ii)   the unvested portion of a SAR shall expire upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the SAR, and the vested portion of such SAR shall remain exercisable for:

(A) one year following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s death or Disability (with the determination of Disability to be made by the Committee on a case by case basis), but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period;

(B)  for directors, officers and employees of the Company only, for the remainder of the SAR Period following termination of employment or service by reason of such Participant’s Retirement;

(C)  90 calendar days following termination of employment or service for any reason other than such Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, and other than such Participant’s termination of employment or service for Cause, but not later than the expiration of the SAR Period; and

(iii) both the unvested and the vested portion of a SAR shall expire immediately upon the termination of the Participant’s employment or service by the Company for Cause.

(c)                Method of Exercise. SARs that have become exercisable may be exercised by delivery of written or electronic notice of exercise to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award, specifying the number of SARs to be exercised and the date on which such SARs were awarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on the last day of the Option Period (or in the case of a SAR independent of an option, the SAR Period), the Closing Price exceeds the Strike Price, the Participant has not exercised the SAR or the corresponding Option (if applicable), and neither the SAR nor the corresponding Option (if applicable) has expired, such SAR shall be deemed to have been exercised by the Participant on such last day and the Company shall make the appropriate payment therefor.

(d)               Payment. Upon the exercise of a SAR, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the number of shares subject to the SAR that are being exercised multiplied by the excess, if any, of the Closing Price of one Ordinary Share on the exercise date over the Strike Price, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld. The Company shall pay such amount in cash, in Ordinary Shares valued at fair market value, or any combination thereof, as determined by the Committee. Any fractional Ordinary Share shall be settled in cash.

9.                  Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

(a)               Generally. Each grant of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each such grant shall be subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 9, and to such other conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.

(b)               Restricted Accounts; Escrow or Similar Arrangement. Upon the grant of Restricted Stock, a book entry in a restricted account shall be established in the Participant’s name at the Company’s transfer agent and, if the Committee determines that the Restricted Stock shall be held by the Company or in escrow rather than held in such restricted account pending the release of the applicable restrictions, the Committee may require the Participant to additionally execute and deliver to the Company (i) an escrow agreement satisfactory to the Committee, if applicable, and (ii) the appropriate share power (endorsed in blank) with respect to the Restricted Stock covered by such agreement. If a Participant shall fail to execute an agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock and, if applicable, an escrow agreement and blank share power within the amount of time specified by the Committee, the Award shall be null and void ab initio. Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 9 and the applicable Award agreement, the Participant generally shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder as to such Restricted Stock, including without limitation the right to vote such Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends, if applicable. To the extent shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, any share certificates issued to the Participant evidencing such shares shall be returned to the Company, and all rights of the Participant to such shares and as a stockholder with respect thereto shall terminate without further obligation on the part of the Company.

(c)               Vesting; Acceleration of Lapse of Restrictions. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement, the unvested portion of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate and be forfeited upon termination of employment or service of the Participant granted the applicable Award.

(d)               Delivery of Restricted Stock and Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. (i) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any shares of Restricted Stock, the restrictions set forth in the applicable certificate shall be of no further force or effect with respect to such shares, except as set forth in the applicable Award agreement. If an escrow arrangement is used, upon such expiration, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, the share certificate evidencing the shares of Restricted Stock that have not then been forfeited and with respect to which the Restricted Period has expired (rounded down to the nearest full share). Dividends, if any, that may have been withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular share of Restricted Stock shall be distributed to the Participant in cash or, at the sole discretion of the Committee, in Ordinary Shares having a Closing Price equal to the amount of such dividends, upon the release of restrictions on such share and, if such share is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such dividends (except as otherwise set forth by the Committee in the applicable Award agreement).

(ii)               Unless otherwise provided by the Committee in an Award agreement, upon the expiration of the Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding Restricted Stock Units, the Company shall deliver to the Participant, or his beneficiary, without charge, one Ordinary Share for each such outstanding Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion and subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, elect to (i) pay cash or part cash and part Ordinary Share in lieu of delivering only Ordinary Shares in respect of such Restricted Stock Units or (ii) defer the delivery of Ordinary Shares (or cash or part Ordinary Shares and part cash, as the case may be) beyond the expiration of the Restricted Period if such delivery would result in a violation of applicable law until such time as is no longer the case. If a cash payment is made in lieu of delivering Ordinary Shares, the amount of such payment shall be equal to the Closing Price of the Ordinary Shares as of the date on which the Restricted Period lapsed with respect to such Restricted Stock Units, less an amount equal to any federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and employment taxes required to be withheld.

10.              Stock Bonus Awards. The Committee may issue unrestricted Ordinary Shares, or other Awards denominated in Ordinary Shares, under this Plan to Eligible Persons, either alone or in tandem with other awards, in such amounts as the Committee shall from time to time in its sole discretion determine. Each Stock Bonus Award granted under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)). Each Stock Bonus Award so granted shall be subject to such conditions not inconsistent with this Plan as may be reflected in the applicable Award agreement.

11.             Performance Compensation Awards.

(a)               Generally. The Committee shall have the authority, at the time of grant of any Award described in Sections 7 through 10 of this Plan, to designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Committee shall have the authority to make an award of a cash bonus to any Participant and designate such Award as a Performance Compensation Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b)               Discretion of Committee with Respect to Performance Compensation Awards. With regard to a particular Performance Period, the Committee shall have sole discretion to select the length of such Performance Period, the type(s) of Performance Compensation Awards to be issued, the Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s), the kind(s) and/or level(s) of the Performance Goals(s) that is (are) to apply and the Performance Formula. Within the first 90 calendar days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code, if applicable), the Committee shall, with regard to the Performance Compensation Awards to be issued for such Performance Period, exercise its discretion with respect to each of the matters enumerated in the immediately preceding sentence and record the same in writing.

(c)               Performance Criteria. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish the Performance Goal(s) shall be based on the attainment of specific levels of performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates, divisions or operational units, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee. Any one or more of the Performance Criteria adopted by the Committee may be used on an absolute or relative basis to measure the performance of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates as a whole or any business unit(s) of the Company and/or one or more Affiliates or any combination thereof, as the Committee may deem appropriate, or any of the above Performance Criteria may be compared to the performance of a selected group of comparison companies, or a published or special index that the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, or as compared to various stock market indices. The Committee also has the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Award based on the achievement of Performance Goals pursuant to the Performance Criteria specified in this paragraph. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall, within the first 90 calendar days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code), define in an objective fashion the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period and thereafter promptly communicate such Performance Criteria to the Participant.

(d)               Modification of Performance Goal(s). In the event that applicable tax and/or securities laws change to permit Committee discretion to alter the governing Performance Criteria without obtaining stockholder approval of such alterations, the Committee shall have sole discretion to make such alterations without obtaining stockholder approval. The Committee is authorized at any time during the first 90 calendar days of a Performance Period (or, if longer or shorter, within the maximum period allowed under Section 162(m) of the Code, if applicable), or at any time thereafter to the extent the exercise of such authority at such time would not cause the Performance Compensation Awards granted to any Participant for such Performance Period to fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, in its sole discretion, to adjust or modify the calculation of a Performance Goal for such Performance Period, based on and in order to appropriately reflect the following events: (i) asset write-downs; (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements; (iii) the effect of changes in tax laws, accounting principles, or other laws or regulatory rules affecting reported results; (iv) any reorganization and restructuring programs; (v) extraordinary nonrecurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 (or any successor pronouncement thereto) and/or in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable year; (vi) acquisitions or divestitures; (vii) any other specific unusual or nonrecurring events, or objectively determinable category thereof; (viii) foreign exchange gains and losses; and (ix) a change in the Company’s fiscal year.

(e)               Payment of Performance Compensation Awards.

(i)                 Condition to Receipt of Payment. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award agreement, a Participant must be employed by the Company on the last day of a Performance Period to be eligible for payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award for such Performance Period.

(ii)               Limitation. A Participant shall be eligible to receive payment in respect of a Performance Compensation Award only to the extent that: (A) the Performance Goals for such period are achieved; and (B) all or some of the portion of such Participant’s Performance Compensation Award has been earned for the Performance Period based on the application of the Performance Formula to such achieved Performance Goals.

(iii)             Certification. Following the completion of a Performance Period, the Committee shall review and certify in writing whether, and to what extent, the Performance Goals for the Performance Period have been achieved and, if so, calculate and certify in writing that amount of the Performance Compensation Awards earned for the period based upon the Performance Formula. The Committee shall then determine the amount of each Participant’s Performance Compensation Award actually payable for the Performance Period and, in so doing, may apply Negative Discretion.

(iv)             Use of Negative Discretion. In determining the actual amount of an individual Participant’s Performance Compensation Award for a Performance Period, the Committee may reduce or eliminate the amount of the Performance Compensation Award earned under the Performance Formula in the Performance Period through the use of Negative Discretion if, in its sole judgment, such reduction or elimination is appropriate. The Committee shall not have the discretion, except as is otherwise provided in this Plan, to (A) grant or provide payment in respect of Performance Compensation Awards for a Performance Period if the Performance Goals for such Performance Period have not been attained; or (B) increase a Performance Compensation Award above the applicable limitations set forth in Section 5 of this Plan.

(f)               Timing of Award Payments. Performance Compensation Awards granted for a Performance Period shall be paid to Participants as soon as administratively practicable following completion of the certifications required by this Section 11, but in no event later than two-and-one-half months following the end of the fiscal year during which the Performance Period is completed in order to comply with the short-term deferral rules under Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of a Performance Compensation Award may be delayed, as permitted by Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(i) of the Treasury Regulations, to the extent that the Company reasonably anticipates that if such payment were made as scheduled, the Company’s tax deduction with respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of Section 162(m) of the Code.

12.              Changes in Capital Structure and Similar Events. In the event of (a) any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, split-up, split-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to acquire Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) that affects the Ordinary Shares, or (b) unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, a Change in Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system, accounting principles or law, such that in either case an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its sole discretion to be necessary or appropriate, then the Committee shall make any such adjustments that are equitable, including without limitation any or all of the following:

(i)                 adjusting any or all of (A) the number of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) that may be delivered in respect of Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under this Plan (including, without limitation, adjusting any or all of the limitations under Section 5 of this Plan) and (B) the terms of any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, (1) the number of Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate, (2) the Exercise Price or Strike Price with respect to any Award or (3) any applicable performance measures (including, without limitation, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals);

(ii)               providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event; and

(iii)             subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, canceling any one or more outstanding Awards and causing to be paid to the holders thereof, in cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property, or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards, if any, as determined by the Committee (which if applicable may be based upon the price per Ordinary Share received or to be received by other stockholders of the Company in such event), including without limitation, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Ordinary Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price of such Option or SAR, respectively (it being understood that, in such event, any Option or SAR having a per share Exercise Price or Strike Price equal to, or in excess of, the fair market value of an Ordinary Share subject thereto may be canceled and terminated without any payment or consideration therefor);

provided, however, that in the case of any “equity restructuring” (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004) or ASC Topic 718, or any successor thereto), the Committee shall make an equitable or proportionate adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity restructuring. Any adjustment in Incentive Stock Options under this Section 12 (other than any cancellation of Incentive Stock Options) shall be made only to the extent not constituting a “modification” within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the Code, and any adjustments under this Section 12 shall be made in a manner that does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Company shall give each Participant notice of an adjustment hereunder and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes.

13.              Effect of Change in Control. Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award agreement or as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, in the event of a Change in Control, notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, with respect to all or any portion of a particular outstanding Award or Awards:

(a)               all of the then outstanding Options and SARs may immediately vest and may become immediately exercisable as of a time prior to the Change in Control;

(b)               the Restricted Period may expire as of a time prior to the Change in Control (including without limitation a waiver of any applicable Performance Goals);

(c)               Performance Periods in effect on the date the Change in Control occurs may end on such date, and the Committee (i) shall determine the extent to which Performance Goals with respect to each such Performance Period have been met based upon such audited or unaudited financial information or other information then available as it deems relevant and (ii) may cause the Participant to receive partial or full payment of Awards for each such Performance Period based upon the Committee’s determination of the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals, or assuming that the applicable “target” levels of performance have been attained or on such other basis determined by the Committee.

To the extent practicable, any actions taken by the Committee under the immediately preceding clauses (a) through (c) shall occur in a manner and at a time which allows affected Participants the ability to participate in the Change in Control transactions with respect to the Ordinary Shares subject to their Awards. In the event no action is taken by the Committee to allow for the changes set forth in immediately preceding clauses (a) through (c), then no changes to the Award shall be effected.

14.              Amendments and Termination.

(a)                Amendment and Termination of this Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate this Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided, that (i) no amendment to the definition of Eligible Employee in Section 2, Section 5(b), Section 11(c) or Section 14(b) (to the extent required by the proviso in such Section 14(b)) shall be made without stockholder approval and (ii) no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made without stockholder approval if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement applicable to this Plan (including, without limitation, as necessary to comply with any rules or requirements of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Ordinary Shares may be listed or quoted or to prevent the Company from being denied a tax deduction under Section 162(m) of the Code); and, provided, further, that any such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the prior written consent of the affected Participant, holder or beneficiary.

(c)               Amendment of Award Agreements. The Committee may, to the extent consistent with the terms of any applicable Award agreement, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, any Award theretofore granted or the associated Award agreement, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the affected Participant; and, provided, further, that without stockholder approval, except as otherwise permitted under Section 12 of this Plan, (i) no amendment or modification may reduce the Exercise Price of any Option or the Strike Price of any SAR, (ii) the Committee may not cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and replace it with a new Option or SAR, another Award or cash or take any action that would have the effect of treating such Award as a new Award for tax or accounting purposes and (iii) the Committee may not take any other action that is considered a “repricing” for purposes of the stockholder approval rules of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Ordinary Shares are listed or quoted.

15.              General.

(a)               Award Agreements. Each Award under this Plan shall be evidenced by an Award agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant (whether in paper or electronic medium (including email or the posting on a web site maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company)) and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including without limitation, the effect on such Award of the death, Disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant, or of such other events as may be determined by the Committee. The Company’s failure to specify any term of any Award in any particular Award agreement shall not invalidate such term, provided such terms was duly adopted by the Board or the Committee.

(b)               Nontransferability; Trading Restrictions.

(i)                 Each Award shall be exercisable only by a Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative. No Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or an Affiliate; provided that the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance.

(ii)               Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit Awards (other than Incentive Stock Options) to be transferred by a Participant, with or without consideration, subject to such rules as the Committee may adopt consistent with any applicable Award agreement to preserve the purposes of this Plan, to: (A) any person who is a “family member” of the Participant, as such term is used in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act (collectively, the “Immediate Family Members”); (B) a trust solely for the benefit of the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (C) a partnership or limited liability company whose only partners or stockholders are the Participant and his or her Immediate Family Members; or (D) any other transferee as may be approved either (I) by the Board or the Committee in its sole discretion, or (II) as provided in the applicable Award agreement (each transferee described in clauses (A), (B) (C) and (D) above is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Transferee”); provided, that the Participant gives the Committee advance written notice describing the terms and conditions of the proposed transfer and the Committee notifies the Participant in writing that such a transfer would comply with the requirements of this Plan.

(iii)             The terms of any Award transferred in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence shall apply to the Permitted Transferee and any reference in this Plan, or in any applicable Award agreement, to a Participant shall be deemed to refer to the Permitted Transferee, except that (A) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to transfer any Award, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution; (B) Permitted Transferees shall not be entitled to exercise any transferred Option unless there shall be in effect a registration statement on an appropriate form covering the Ordinary Shares to be acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Option if the Committee determines, consistent with any applicable Award agreement, that such a registration statement is necessary or appropriate; (C) the Committee or the Company shall not be required to provide any notice to a Permitted Transferee, whether or not such notice is or would otherwise have been required to be given to the Participant under this Plan or otherwise; and (D) the consequences of the termination of the Participant’s employment by, or services to, the Company or an Affiliate under the terms of this Plan and the applicable Award agreement shall continue to be applied with respect to the Participant, including, without limitation, that an Option shall be exercisable by the Permitted Transferee only to the extent, and for the periods, specified in this Plan and the applicable Award agreement.

(iv)            The Committee shall have the right, either on an Award-by-Award basis or as a matter of policy for all Awards or one or more classes of Awards, to condition the delivery of vested Ordinary Shares received in connection with such Award on the Participant’s agreement to such restrictions as the Committee may determine.

(c)                Tax Withholding.

(i)                 A Participant shall be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, or the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property deliverable under any Award or from any compensation or other amounts owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Ordinary Shares, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under this Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes.

(ii)               Without limiting the generality of clause (i) above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit a Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability by (A) the delivery of Ordinary Shares (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and are Mature Shares) owned by the Participant having a fair market value equal to such withholding liability or (B) having the Company withhold from the number of Ordinary Shares otherwise issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a number of shares with a fair market value equal to such withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability).

(d)               No Claim to Awards; No Rights to Continued Employment; Waiver. No employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or other person, shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award under this Plan or, having been selected for the grant of an Award, to be selected for a grant of any other Award. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any Participant any right to be retained in the employ or service of the Company or an Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving any Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. The Company or any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under this Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Plan or any Award agreement. By accepting an Award under this Plan, a Participant shall thereby be deemed to have waived any claim to continued exercise or vesting of an Award or to damages or severance entitlement related to non-continuation of the Award beyond the period provided under this Plan or any Award agreement, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any written employment contract or other agreement between the Company and its Affiliates and the Participant, whether any such agreement is executed before, on or after the Date of Grant.

(e)                International Participants. With respect to Participants who reside or work outside of the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may in its sole discretion amend the terms of this Plan or outstanding Awards (or establish a sub-plan) with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law or to obtain more favorable tax or other treatment for a Participant, the Company or its Affiliates.

(f)                Designation and Change of Beneficiary. Each Participant may file with the Committee a written designation of one or more persons as the beneficiary(ies) who shall be entitled to receive the amounts payable with respect to an Award, if any, due under this Plan upon his or her death. A Participant may, from time to time, revoke or change his or her beneficiary designation without the consent of any prior beneficiary by filing a new designation with the Committee. The last such designation filed with the Committee shall be controlling; provided, however, that no designation, or change or revocation thereof, shall be effective unless received by the Committee prior to the Participant’s death, and in no event shall it be effective as of a date prior to such receipt. If no beneficiary designation is filed by a Participant, the beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her spouse or, if the Participant is unmarried at the time of death, his or her estate. Upon the occurrence of a Participant’s divorce (as evidenced by a final order or decree of divorce), any spousal designation previously given by such Participant shall automatically terminate.

(g)               Termination of Employment/Service. Unless determined otherwise by the Committee at any point following such event: (i) neither a temporary absence from employment or service due to illness, vacation or leave of absence nor a transfer from employment or service with the Company to employment or service with an Affiliate (or vice-versa) shall be considered a termination of employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate; and (ii) if a Participant’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates, but such Participant continues to provide services to the Company and its Affiliates in a non-employee capacity (or vice-versa), such change in status shall not be considered a termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate.

(h)               No Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or any Award agreement, no person shall be entitled to the privileges of ownership in respect of Ordinary Shares that are subject to Awards hereunder until such shares have been issued or delivered to that person.

(i)                 Government and Other Regulations.

(i)                 The obligation of the Company to settle Awards in Ordinary Shares or other consideration shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to such approvals by governmental agencies as may be required. Notwithstanding any terms or conditions of any Award to the contrary, the Company shall be under no obligation to offer to sell or to sell, and shall be prohibited from offering to sell or selling, any Ordinary Shares pursuant to an Award unless such shares have been properly registered for sale pursuant to the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission or unless the Company has received an opinion of counsel, satisfactory to the Company, that such shares may be offered or sold without such registration pursuant to an available exemption therefrom and the terms and conditions of such exemption have been fully complied with. The Company shall be under no obligation to register for sale under the Securities Act any of the Ordinary Shares to be offered or sold under this Plan. The Committee shall have the authority to provide that all certificates for Ordinary Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under this Plan shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under this Plan, the applicable Award agreement, the federal securities laws, or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which such shares or other securities are then listed or quoted and any other applicable federal, state, local or non-U.S. laws, and, without limiting the generality of Section 9 of this Plan, the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, the Committee reserves the right to add any additional terms or provisions to any Award granted under this Plan that it in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable in order that such Award complies with the legal requirements of any governmental entity to whose jurisdiction the Award is subject.

(ii)               The Committee may cancel an Award or any portion thereof if it determines, in its sole discretion, that legal or contractual restrictions and/or blockage and/or other market considerations would make the Company’s acquisition of Ordinary Shares from the public markets, the Company’s issuance of Ordinary Shares to the Participant, the Participant’s acquisition of Ordinary Shares from the Company and/or the Participant’s sale of Ordinary Shares to the public markets, illegal, impracticable or inadvisable. If the Committee determines to cancel all or any portion of an Award in accordance with the foregoing, unless doing so would violate Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall pay to the Participant an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate fair market value of the Ordinary Shares subject to such Award or portion thereof canceled (determined as of the applicable exercise date, or the date that the shares would have been vested or delivered, as applicable), over (B) the aggregate Exercise Price or Strike Price (in the case of an Option or SAR, respectively) or any amount payable as a condition of delivery of Ordinary Shares (in the case of any other Award). Such amount shall be delivered to the Participant as soon as practicable following the cancellation of such Award or portion thereof. The Committee shall have the discretion to consider and take action to mitigate the tax consequence to the Participant in cancelling an Award in accordance with this clause.

(j)                 Payments to Persons Other Than Participants. If the Committee shall find that any person to whom any amount is payable under this Plan is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident, or is a minor, or has died, then any payment due to such person or his estate (unless a prior claim therefor has been made by a duly appointed legal representative) may, if the Committee so directs the Company, be paid to his spouse, child, relative, an institution maintaining or having custody of such person, or any other person deemed by the Committee to be a proper recipient on behalf of such person otherwise entitled to payment. Any such payment shall be a complete discharge of the liability of the Committee and the Company therefor.

(k)               Nonexclusivity of this Plan. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of this Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options or other equity-based awards otherwise than under this Plan, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

(l)                 No Trust or Fund Created. Neither this Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on the one hand, and a Participant or other person or entity, on the other hand. No provision of this Plan or any Award shall require the Company, for the purpose of satisfying any obligations under this Plan, to purchase assets or place any assets in a trust or other entity to which contributions are made or otherwise to segregate any assets, nor shall the Company maintain separate bank accounts, books, records or other evidence of the existence of a segregated or separately maintained or administered fund for such purposes. Participants shall have no rights under this Plan other than as general unsecured creditors of the Company, except that insofar as they may have become entitled to payment of additional compensation by performance of services, they shall have the same rights as other employees under general law.

(m)              Reliance on Reports. Each member of the Committee and each member of the Board shall be fully justified in acting or failing to act, as the case may be, and shall not be liable for having so acted or failed to act in good faith, in reliance upon any report made by the independent public accountant of the Company and its Affiliates and/or any other information furnished in connection with this Plan by any agent of the Company or the Committee or the Board, other than himself.

(n)               Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under this Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit sharing, group insurance or other benefit plan of the Company except as otherwise specifically provided in such other plan.

(o)               Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions.

(p)               Severability. If any provision of this Plan or any Award or Award agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or entity or Award, or would disqualify this Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws in the manner that most closely reflects the original intent of the Award or the Plan, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of this Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or entity or Award and the remainder of this Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(q)               Obligations Binding on Successors. The obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company, or upon any successor corporation or organization succeeding to substantially all of the assets and business of the Company.

(r)                 Code Section 162(m) Approval. If so determined by the Committee, the provisions of this Plan regarding Performance Compensation Awards shall be disclosed and reapproved by stockholders no later than the first stockholder meeting that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which stockholders previously approved such provisions, in each case in order for certain Awards granted after such time to be exempt from the deduction limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code. Nothing in this clause, however, shall affect the validity of Awards granted after such time if such stockholder approval has not been obtained.

(s)               Expenses; Gender; Titles and Headings. The expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates. Masculine pronouns and other words of masculine gender shall refer to both men and women. The titles and headings of the sections in this Plan are for convenience of reference only, and in the event of any conflict, the text of this Plan, rather than such titles or headings shall control.

(t)                 Other Agreements. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may require, as a condition to the grant of and/or the receipt of Ordinary Shares under an Award, that the Participant execute lock-up, stockholder or other agreements, as it may determine in its sole and absolute discretion.

(u)               Section 409A. The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder are intended to comply with, or otherwise be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and all Awards granted under this Plan shall be administered, interpreted, and construed in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the Committee exercise its discretion to accelerate the payment or settlement of an Award where such payment or settlement constitutes deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code unless, and solely to the extent that, such accelerated payment or settlement is permissible under Section 1.409A-3(j)(4) of the Treasury Regulations. If a Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(i) of the Treasury Regulations) at any time during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of his termination of employment, and any Award hereunder subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code is to be satisfied on account of the Participant’s termination of employment, satisfaction of such Award shall be suspended until the date that is six (6) months after the date of such termination of employment.

(v)               Payments. Participants shall be required to pay, to the extent required by applicable law, any amounts required to receive Ordinary Shares under any Award made under this Plan.

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