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1999 Incentive Stock Option Plan - AsiaInfo Holdings Inc.

 
                            ASIAINFO HOLDINGS, INC.

                       1999 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN


     ARTICLE 1

                                    PURPOSE

     The purpose of the Plan is to attract employees to AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation (the 'Company') and to its Subsidiaries (hereafter
defined), and to provide such persons and employees of the Company and its
Subsidiaries with a proprietary interest in the Company through the granting of
Incentive Stock Options that will:

          (a)  increase the interest of the employees in the Company's welfare; 
     
          (b)  furnish an incentive to the employees to continue their services
     for the Company; and 

          (c)  provide a means through which the Company may attract able
     persons to enter its employ.

     ARTICLE 2

                                  DEFINITIONS

     For the purpose of the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise, the 
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

          'Board' means the board of directors of the Company and, to the extent
     applicable, such members thereof as are delegated powers under Article 3 of
     this Plan.

          'Code' means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          'Common Stock' means the Common Stock, $.01 par value, which the
     Company is currently authorized to issue or may in the future be authorized
     to issue.

          'Company' means AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          'Date of Grant' means the effective date on which an option is awarded
     to an employee as set forth in the stock option agreement.

          'Incentive Stock Option' means an option to purchase Common Stock of 
     the Company granted under this Plan and which is intended to qualify as an 
     incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

          'Option Period' means the period during which an option may be 
     exercised.

          'Plan' means this AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc., 1999 Incentive Stock Option
     Plan, as amended from time to time.

          'Subsidiary' means any corporation, partnership, limited liability
     company, or other entity (for the purposes of this definition, a _company_)
     in an unbroken chain of companies beginning with the Company if, at the
     time of the granting of a Stock Option, each of the companies other than
     the last company in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more




 
     of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock or other
     interests in one of the other companies in the chain, and 'Subsidiaries'
     means more than one of any such companies.

                                   ARTICLE 3

                                ADMINISTRATION

     The Plan shall be administered by the Board; provided, however, that the 
Board in its discretion may appoint a Stock Option Committee (the 'Committee') 
or designate the Compensation Committee of the Board as the Committee, the 
Committee consisting of not fewer than two persons, for the purpose of 
administering the Plan (hereafter, for convenience only, all references to 
administration will be to the Board). The Board may upon resolution delegate 
some or all of its powers with respect to the administration of the Plan to the 
Committee. The Committee shall have only such powers as may be so delegated.

     If the Board delegates some or all of its powers to the Committee as
provided hereunder, any member of the Committee (or all members in the event the
Board elects to assume direct responsibility for administration of the Plan) may
be removed at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of the Board. Any
vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee may be filled by
appointment by the Board. The Committee shall select one of its members to act
as its Chairman and shall make such rules and regulations for its operation as
it deems appropriate. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and
the act of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee. The Committee shall
determine and designate from time the employees to whom options will be granted,
the number of shares subject to each option, interpret the Plan, prescribe,
amend, and rescind any rules and regulations necessary or appropriate for the
administration of the Plan, and make such other determinations and take such
other action as it deems necessary or advisable. Any interpretation,
determination, or other action made or taken by the Committee shall be final,
binding, and conclusive on all interested parties. If no Committee is appointed,
the Board shall have the powers described in this Section.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                                  ELIGIBILITY

     Any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose judgment, 
initiative and efforts contributed or may be expected to contribute to a 
successful performance of the Company is eligible to participate in the Plan.

                                     --2--

 
                                   ARTICLE 5

                            SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

     The Board may not grant options under the Plan for more than One Million 
Three Hundred Forty Thousand (1,340,000) shares of Common Stock of the Company 
(as may be adjusted in accordance with Article 20 hereof). Shares to be optioned
and sold may be made available from either authorized but unissued Common Stock 
or Common Stock held by the Company in its treasury. Shares that by reason of 
the expiration or cancellation of an option granted under the Plan may be 
reoffered under the plan.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                          STOCK OWNERSHIP LIMITATION

     No option may be granted to an employee who owns more than 5% of the total 
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its 
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that this limitation will not apply if the 
exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the Company Stock on
the Date of Grant and the Option Period is not greater than five years from the 
Date of Grant.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                            LIMITATION ON EXERCISES

     To the extent required by the Code, the exercise of options granted under 
the Plan shall be subject to the $100,000 calendar-year limit set forth in 
Section 422(d) of the Code.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                              ALLOTMENT OF SHARES

     The Board shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be 
offered from time to time by grant of options to participants under the Plan.
The grant of an option to a participant shall not be deemed either to entitle 
the participant to, or to disqualify the participant from, participation in any 
other grant of options under the Plan.

                                     --3--

 
                                   ARTICLE 9

                               GRANT OF OPTIONS

     All options under the Plan shall be granted by the Board and are intended
to be Incentive Stock Options. The grant of options shall be evidenced by stock
option agreements setting forth the total number of shares subject to the
option, the exercise price, the term of the option, the Date of Grant, and such
other terms and provisions as are approved by the Board, but not inconsistent
with the Plan, including provisions that may be necessary to assure that the
option is an Incentive Stock Option under the Code. The Company shall execute
stock option agreements with the participants after approval of the issuance of
stock option grants. The Plan shall be submitted to the Company's stockholders
for approval; however, the Board may grant options under the Plan prior to the
time of stockholder approval.

                                  ARTICLE 10

                                EXERCISE PRICE

     The exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value per
share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant. The Board shall determine the
fair market value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and shall set forth
the determination in its minutes, using any reasonable valuation method.



                                  ARTICLE 11

                                 OPTION PERIOD

     The Option Period of each option will begin and terminate on the dates
specified by the Board, but may not terminate later than ten years from the Date
of Grant. No option granted under the Plan may be exercised at any time after
its term. The Board may provide for exercise of options immediately or in
installments and upon such other terms, conditions and restrictions as it may
determine, including granting the Company the right to repurchase shares issued
upon exercise of options.

                                  ARTICLE 12
     
                           TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

     In the event a participant shall cease to be employed by the Company or its
Subsidiaries, such participant's Incentive Stock Options shall be terminated as
follows:

          (a)   Death. In the event of death while employed, the option may be
     exercised, for a period of ninety (90) days after the participant's death
     or until expiration of the Option Period (if sooner) to the extent of the
     shares with respect to which the option could have been exercised by the
     participant on the date of the participant's death; such option may only be
     exercised by the personal representative of the participant's estate or by
     the person who acquired the right to exercise the option by bequest or
     inheritance or by reason of the participant's death.

                                     --4--
 

 
     (b)  Disability. In the event of termination of employment as the result of
a total and permanent disability (as defined in Section 22(e) of the Code), the
option may be exercised by the participant or his guardian for a period of
ninety (90) days after such termination or until expiration of the Option Period
(if sooner), to the extent of the shares with respect to which the option could
have been exercised by the participant on the date of such termination.

     (c)  Termination for Other Reasons. In the event of termination of 
employment (for reasons other than as set forth in subparagraphs (a) and (b) 
above), the option may be exercised by participant for a period of 30 days after
the participant's termination or until expiration of the Option Period (if 
sooner), to the extent of the shares with respect to which the option could have
been exercised by the participant on the date of termination.

                                     --5--

 
                                  ARTICLE 13

                                    PAYMENT

     Full payment for shares purchased upon exercise of an option shall be made
in cash, at the option of the Board by the participant's delivery to the Company
of shares of Common Stock which have a fair market value equal to the exercise
price, or at the option of the Board in any combination of cash and shares of
Common Stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to the exercise price.
No shares may be issued until full payment of the purchase price thereof has
been made, and a participant will have none of the rights of a stockholder until
shares are issued to him.

                                  ARTICLE 14

                              EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

     Options granted under the Plan may be exercised during the Option Period, 
at such times and in such amounts, in accordance with the terms and conditions 
and subject to such restrictions as are set forth in the applicable stock option
agreements. If the Board imposes conditions upon exercise, then subsequent to 
the Date of Grant the Board may, also in its sole discretion, accelerate the 
date on which all or any portion of the options may be exercised. In no event 
may an option be exercised or shares be issued pursuant to an option if 
necessary listing of the shares on a stock exchange or any registration under 
state or federal securities laws required under the circumstances has not been 
accomplished.

                                  ARTICLE 15

                               NON-ASSIGNABILITY

     An option granted to a participant may not be transferred or assigned other
than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to the terms
of a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 411(a)(13).
If the participant attempts to alienate, assign, pledge, hypothecate or
otherwise dispose of his option or any right thereunder, except as provided for
in this Plan or the stock option agreement, or in the event of any levy,
attachment, execution or similar process upon the right or interest conferred by
this Plan or the stock option agreement, the Board may terminate the
participant's option by notice to him, and it shall thereupon become null and
void.

                                     --6--

 
                                  ARTICLE 16

                           DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION

     If stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option is disposed of
by a participant prior to the expiration of either two years from the Date of 
Grant of such option or one year from the transfer of shares to the participant 
pursuant to the exercise of such option, or in any other disqualifying 
disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, such participant 
shall notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition. A
disqualifying disposition by a participant shall not affect the status of any
other option granted under the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code.



                                  ARTICLE 17

                          AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE

     The Plan may be amended or discontinued by the Board without the approval 
of the stockholders of the Company, unless stockholders approval is required to 
maintain the special tax treatment for Incentive Stock Options under the Code or
by any stock exchange on which the shares to be issued upon exercise of the 
options are listed.  No amendment may adversely affect an outstanding option 
without the consent of the participant.



                                  ARTICLE 18

                              EFFECT OF THE PLAN

     Neither the adoption of this Plan nor any action of the Board or the 
Committee shall be deemed to give any officer or employee any right to be 
granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company or any other rights 
except as may be evidenced by a stock option agreement, or any amendment 
thereto, duly authorized by the Board and executed on behalf of the Company and 
then only to the extent and upon the terms and conditions expressly set forth 
therein.
     


                                  ARTICLE 19

                                     TERM

     Unless sooner terminated by action of the Board, the Plan will terminate on
[tenth] anniversary of the Effective Date, but options granted before the date
will continue to be effective in accordance with their terms and conditions.

                                     --7--


 
                               ARTICLE 20      

                  RECAPITALIZATION, MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

          (a)  The existence of this Plan and options granted hereunder shall
     not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders
     to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations,
     reorganizations or other changes in the Company's capital structure and its
     business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of
     bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or
     otherwise affecting the Common stock or the rights thereof (or any rights,
     options or warrants to purchase same), or the dissolution of liquidation of
     the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or
     business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether or a similar
     character or otherwise.

          (b)  The number of shares of Common Stock available under the Plan
     described in Article 5, the number of shares of Common Stock that may be
     purchased pursuant to options granted under the Plan, and the consideration
     payable per share upon exercise, shall be proportionately adjusted by the
     Board for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
     Stock resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of shares or other
     capital adjustment, or the payment of a stock dividend or other increase or
     decrease in such shares, effected without receipt of consideration by the
     Company; provided, however, that any fractional shares resulting from any
     such adjustment shall be eliminated for the purposes of such adjustment.

          (c)  Subject to any required action by the stockholders, if the
     Company shall be the surviving or resulting corporation in any merger or
     consolidation, any option granted hereunder shall pertain to and apply to
     the securities or rights (including cash, property or assets) to which a
     holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the option would
     have been entitled.

          (d)  In the event of any merger or consolidation pursuant to which the
     Company is not the surviving or resulting corporation, there shall be
     substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to the unexercised
     portions of such outstanding options, that number of shares of each class
     of stock or other securities or that amount of cash, property or assets of
     the surviving or consolidated company which were distributed or
     distributable to the stockholders of the Company in respect to each share
     of Common Stock held by them, such outstanding options to be thereafter
     exercisable (subject to appropriate adjustment, if appropriate, as to the
     per share exercise prices for such stock, securities, cash or property, as
     determined under subsection [b] above) in accordance with their terms.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, all such options may be canceled by
     the Company as of the effective date of any such reorganization, merger or
     consolidation or of any dissolution or liquidation of the Company by giving
     notice to each holder thereof or his personal representative of its
     intention to do so and by permitting the purchase during the thirty (30)
     day period next preceding such effective date of all of the shares subject
     to such outstanding options.

                                     --8--

 
          (e)  In the event that either sufficient shares of the Company's
     Common Stock are purchased, or any tender, exchange or similar offer is
     commenced which would, if successful (i) result in any of the events
     described in sections 20(c) and (d) or (ii) materially alter the structure
     or business of the Company, then, notwithstanding any other provision in
     its Plan to the contrary, all unmatured installments of options outstanding
     shall thereupon automatically be accelerated and exercisable in full and
     any right the Company may have to repurchase shares issued upon exercise of
     options shall terminate. The determination of the Board that any of the
     foregoing conditions has been met shall be binding and conclusive an all
     parties.

          (f)  Expect as hereinbefore expressly provided, the issue by the
     Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into
     shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or
     services either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants
     to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the
     Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect,
     and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the
     number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to options granted
     pursuant to this Plan.

          (g)  Upon the occurrence of each event requiring an adjustment of the
     price or the number of shares purchasable pursuant to options granted
     pursuant to the terms of this Plan, the Company shall mail forthwith to
     each participant a copy of its computation of such adjustment which shall
     be conclusive and shall be binding upon each such participant.

                                  ARTICLE 21

                          LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION

     In case the Company shall, at any time while any option under this Plan 
shall be in force and remain unexpired, (i) sell all or substantially all its 
property, or (ii) dissolve, liquidate, or wind up its affairs, then each 
participant may thereafter receive upon exercise hereof (in lieu of each share 
of Common Stock of the Company which such participant would have been entitled 
to receive) the same kind and amount of any securities or assets as may be 
issuable, distributable or payable upon any such sale, dissolution, liquidation,
or winding up with respect to each share of Common Stock of the Company. If the 
Company shall, at any time prior to the expiration of any option, make any 
partial distribution of its assets, in the nature of a partial liquidation, 
whether payable in cash or in kind (but excluding the distribution of a cash 
dividend payable out of earned surplus and designated as such) then in such 
event the prices then in effect with respect to each option shall be reduced, on
the payment date of such distribution, in proportion to the percentage reduction
in the tangible book value of the shares of the Company's Common Stock 
(determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) 
resulting by reason of such distribution. 

                                     --9--


 
                                  ARTICLE 22

                          OPTIONS IN SUBSTITUTION FOR
                  STOCK OPTIONS GRANTED BY OTHER CORPORATIONS

     Stock options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in 
substitution for such options held by employees of a corporation who become or 
are about to become employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries as the result 
of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or the 
acquisition by the Company of stock of the employing entity.  The terms and 
conditions of the substitute options so granted may vary from the terms and 
conditions set forth in this Plan to such extent as the Board at the time of 
grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions 
of the options in substitution for which they are granted.

                                  ARTICLE 23
     
                               INVESTMENT INTENT
     
     The Company may require that there be presented to and filed with it by any
participant under the Plan, such evidence as it may deem necessary to establish 
that the options granted or the shares of Common Stock to be purchased or 
transferred are being acquired for investment and not with a view to their 
distribution.

                                    --10--

 
                                  ARTICLE 24

                        NO RIGHT TO CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT

     Nothing in the Plan or the grant of any option confers upon any employee 
the right to continue in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries or 
interferes with or restricts in any way the right of the Company or its 
Subsidiaries to discharge any employee at any time (subject to any contract 
rights of such employee).

                                  ARTICLE 25

                    INDEMNIFICATION OF BOARD AND COMMITTEE

     No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or employee of 
the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally 
liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good 
faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board or the Committee 
and each and any officer or employee of the Company acting on their behalf 
shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the
Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation. This 
obligation shall survive any termination of this Plan.

                                  ARTICLE 26

                               TAX REQUIREMENTS

     The Company shall have the right to deduct from all amounts hereunder paid
in cash any taxes required by United States (including state and local taxes) or
other applicable law to be withheld with respect to such cash payments. The
employee receiving shares issued upon exercise of any stock option shall be
required to pay the Company the amount of any taxes which the Company is
required to withhold with respect to such shares of Common Stock. Such payments
shall be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate
representing such shares of Common Stock. Such payment may be made in cash, by
check, or through the delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the employee
(which may be effected by the actual delivery of shares of Common Stock by the
employee or by the Company's withholding a number of shares to be issued upon
the exercise of the stock option), which shares have an aggregate fair market
value equal to the required withholding payment, or any combination thereof.

                                  ARTICLE 27

                                EFFECTIVE DATE

     The effective date (the _Effective Date_) of the Plan shall be 1 June 1999,
that is, the date the plan was approved and adopted by the Board.

                                    --11--

 
                           [signature page follows]

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed 
as of the effective date, by its President pursuant to prior action taken by the
Board.

                                        ASIAINFO HOLDINGS, INC.              
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                        By:     James Ding                   
                                        Title:  CEO and Company Secretary    
                                                                             
                                                                             
                                        Signature /s/ James Ding                
                                                  -----------------------       

                                    --12--

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