Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-249314

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Note:

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated October 5, 2020)

US$

Baidu, Inc.

US$300,000,000 1.625% Notes due 2027

US$700,000,000 2.375% Notes due 2031

We are offering US$300,000,000 of our 1.625% notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) and US$700,000,000 of our 2.375% notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes,” together with the 2027 Notes, the “Notes”). The 2027 Notes will mature on February 23, 2027 and the 2031 Notes will mature on August 23, 2031. Interest on the Notes will accrue from August 23, 2021 and be payable on and August 23 and February 23 of each year, beginning on February 23, 2022.

We may at our option redeem the 2027 Notes at any time, prior to January 23, 2027 and the 2031 Notes at any time prior to May 23, 2031, each in whole or in part, at a price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount of such Notes and the make whole amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the redemption date. In addition, we may also redeem the 2027 Notes from or after January 23, 2027 and the 2031 Notes, from or after May 23, 2031, each at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the redemption date. We may also redeem the Notes at any time upon the occurrence of certain tax events. Upon the occurrence of a triggering event, we must make an offer to repurchase all Notes outstanding at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of repurchase. For a more detailed description of the Notes, see “Description of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement.

The Notes are our senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; rank at least equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured unsubordinated obligations (subject to any priority rights pursuant to applicable law); be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured obligations, to the extent of the value of the assets serving as security therefor; and be structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations and other liabilities of our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities.

Investing in the Notes involves risks. Furthermore, investors should be aware that there are various other risks relating to the Notes, the issuer and its subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, their business and their jurisdictions of operations which investors should familiarize themselves with before making an investment in the Notes. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-17.

Baidu, Inc. is a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in its consolidated affiliated entities. We conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) our consolidated affiliated entities with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. PRC laws and regulations restrict and impose conditions on foreign investment in internet content, value-added telecommunication-based online marketing, audio and video services and mobile application distribution businesses. Accordingly, we operate these businesses in China through our consolidated affiliated entities. As used in this prospectus supplement, “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” or “Baidu” refers to Baidu, Inc., its subsidiaries, and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, our consolidated affiliated entities in China, including but not limited to Beijing Baidu Netcom Science Technology Co., Ltd., or Baidu Netcom.

Our corporate structure is subject to risks associated with our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Our holding company, our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our consolidated affiliated entities and our company as a whole. Baidu, Inc. may not be able to repay the Notes and other indebtedness, and our Class A ordinary shares or our ADSs may decline in value or become worthless, if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities that conduct all or substantially all of our operations. For a detailed description of the risks associated with our corporate structure, please refer to risks disclosed under “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” in our 2020 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes” in this prospectus supplement.

We face various risks and uncertainties related to doing business in China. Our business operations are primarily conducted in China, and we are subject to complex and evolving PRC laws and regulations. For example, we face risks associated with regulatory approvals on offshore offerings, anti-monopoly regulatory actions, and oversight on cybersecurity and data privacy, as well as the lack of PCAOB inspection on our auditors. For a detailed description of risks related to doing business in China, “Item 3.D. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” in our 2020 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” in this prospectus supplement.

The Notes or a portion of the Notes are being issued as “Sustainability Bonds” under our Sustainable Finance Framework. See the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Application will be made to The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “SEHK”) for the listing of the Notes by way of debt issues to professional investors (as defined in Chapter 37 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK) (the “Professional Investors”) only. This document is for distribution to Professional Investors only.

Notice to Hong Kong investors: We confirm that the Notes are intended for purchase by Professional Investors only and will be listed on the SEHK on that basis. Accordingly, we confirm that the Notes are not appropriate as an investment for retail investors in Hong Kong. Investors should carefully consider the risks involved.

The SEHK has not reviewed the contents of this document, other than to ensure that the prescribed form disclaimer and responsibility statements, and a statement limiting distribution of this document to Professional Investors only have been reproduced in this document. Listing of the Notes on the SEHK is not to be taken as an indication of the commercial merits or credit quality of the Notes or the Issuer or quality of disclosure in this document. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the SEHK take no responsibility for the contents of this document, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this document.

We expect to deliver the Notes to investors through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company and its direct participants, including Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”), on or about August 23, 2021, which is the third business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. Purchasers of the Notes should note that trading of the Notes may be affected by this settlement date.

Joint Bookrunners

Co-Manager

BOCOM International

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 18, 2021.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference is accurate only as of each of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Section 309B(1) Notification—In connection with Section 309B of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”) and the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), we have determined, and hereby notify all persons (including relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA)) that

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the Notes are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

This document includes particulars given in compliance with the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK for the purpose of giving information with regard to us. We accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this document and confirms, having made all reasonable enquiries, that to the best of our knowledge and belief there are no other facts the omission of which would make any statement herein misleading.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document consists of two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of Notes by us. The second part, the base prospectus, presents more general information about this offering. The base prospectus was included in the registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-249314) that we filed with the SEC on October 5, 2020, and may be updated since that time with additional information that is incorporated by reference. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined, and when we refer to the “accompanying prospectus,” we are referring to the base prospectus as updated through incorporation by reference.

If the description of the offering of the Notes varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

You should not consider any information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to be investment, legal, or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountants, and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial, and related advice regarding the purchase of any of the Notes offered by this prospectus supplement.

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our company,” “our,” “Baidu,” and “issuer” refer to Baidu, Inc., its subsidiaries and, in the context of describing our operations and consolidated financial information, our consolidated affiliated entities in China; “China” and “PRC” refer to the People’s Republic of China and, solely for the purpose of this prospectus, exclude Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau; and all references to “RMB” and “Renminbi” are to the legal currency of China and all references to “U.S. dollars,” “US$,” “dollars,” and “$” are to the legal currency of the United States.

Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to Renminbi in this prospectus supplement have been made at a rate of RMB6.4566 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of June 30, 2021 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. These translation amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers, and we make no representation that any Renminbi or U.S. dollar amounts could have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars or Renminbi, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all. The PRC government imposes control over its foreign currency reserves in part through direct regulation of the conversion of Renminbi into foreign exchange and through restrictions on foreign trade. On August 6, 2021, the exchange rate was RMB6.4825 to US$1.00.

All discrepancies in any table between the amounts identified as total amounts and the sum of the amounts listed therein are due to rounding.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC. Information we file with the SEC can be obtained over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, relating to the securities to be offered. This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to Baidu, Inc. and the Notes, reference is hereby made to the registration statement and the prospectus contained therein. The registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, may be inspected on the SEC’s website.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with or submit to the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents that are considered part of the accompanying prospectus. Information that we file with or submit to the SEC in the future and incorporate by reference will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information.

See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in the accompanying prospectus for more information. All of the documents incorporated by reference are available at www.sec.gov under Baidu, Inc., CIK number 0001329099.

Our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 originally filed with the SEC on March 9, 2021 (File No. 000-51469), or our 2020 Form 20-F, is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

As you read the documents incorporated by reference, you may find inconsistencies in information from one document to another. If you find inconsistencies, you should rely on the statements made in the most recent document.

We will provide a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, upon written or oral request, to any person, including any beneficial owner of the Notes, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, at no cost to such person. You may make such a request by writing or telephoning us at the following mailing address or telephone number:

IR Department

Baidu, Inc.

Baidu Campus

No. 10 Shangdi 10th Street

Haidian District, Beijing 100085

People’s Republic of China

Telephone: +86 (10) 5992-8888

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NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN HONG KONG

You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice. The Notes are only available in Hong Kong or to persons resident in Hong Kong who are (a) “professional investors” as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK; or (b) acquiring the Notes in circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. Each purchaser of the Notes in the United States who is a resident of Hong Kong, by accepting delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, will be deemed to have represented, agreed and acknowledged that (a) it is a “professional investor” as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK; or (b) it is acquiring the Notes in circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance.

No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) has been issued or had in possession for the purposes of issue or will be issued or had in possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside of Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK.

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA AND UNITED KINGDOM CONSIDERATIONS

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold, or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold, or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor in the EEA means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (“UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“EUWA”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA; Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other things:

The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our company. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors disclosed in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference.

We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed herein, in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our securities. We operate in a rapidly evolving environment. New risks emerge from time to time and it is impossible for our management to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.

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RISK FACTORS

Prospective purchasers of the Notes should carefully consider the risks described below in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference before deciding to purchase any Notes. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could suffer, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our business is subject to complex and evolving Chinese and international laws and regulations, including those regarding data privacy and cybersecurity. Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims, penalties, changes to our business practices, increased cost of operations, damages to our reputation and brand, or declines in user growth or engagement, or otherwise harm our business.

We are required by privacy and data protection laws in China and other jurisdictions, including, without limitation, the PRC Cyber Security Law, to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information of our users, customers, third-party agents, content providers and Baidu Union partners, and other data, which is also essential to maintaining their confidence in our online products and services. However, the interpretation and application of such laws in China and elsewhere are often uncertain and in flux.

In December 2012, the Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress promulgated the Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection, or the Network Information Protection Decision, to enhance the legal protection of information security and privacy on the internet. The Network Information Protection Decision also requires internet operators to take measures to ensure confidentiality of information of users. In July 2013, the MIIT promulgated the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users to regulate the collection and use of users’ personal information in the provision of telecommunication service and internet information service in China. In August 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law, which became effective in November 2015 and amended the standards of crime of infringing citizens’ personal information and reinforced the criminal culpability of unlawful collection, transaction, and provision of personal information. It further provides that any ICP provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders will be subject to criminal liability. In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Cyber Security Law, which requires, among others, that network operators take security measures to protect the network from unauthorized interference, damage and unauthorized access and prevent data from being divulged, stolen or tampered with. Network operators are also required to collect and use personal information in compliance with the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity, and strictly within the scope of authorization by the subject of personal information unless otherwise prescribed by laws or regulations. Significant capital, managerial and human resources are required to comply with legal requirements, enhance information security and to address any issues caused by security failures. The Civil Code promulgated in 2020 also provides specific provisions regarding the protection of personal information. On June 10, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the PRC Data Security Law, which will take effect in September 2021. The Data Security Law, among others, provides for a security review procedure for the data activities that may affect national security. Furthermore, Measures for Cybersecurity Review, which became effective on June 1, 2020, set forth the cybersecurity review mechanism for critical information infrastructure operators, and provided that critical information infrastructure operators who intend to purchase internet products and services that affect or may affect national security shall be subject to a cybersecurity review. See “Regulations.” If we provide or are deemed to provide such network products and services to critical information infrastructure operators, or we are deemed to be a critical information infrastructure operator under such rules, we would be required to follow cybersecurity review procedures, and could be subject to cybersecurity review by Cyberspace Administration of China and other relevant PRC regulatory authorities. During such review, we may

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be required to suspend providing the existing or any new services to our clients, and such review could also result in negative publicity to us and diversion of our managerial and financial resources.

The PRC Cyber Security Law, the Data Security Law and Civil Code are relatively new and subject to interpretation by the regulators. Although we only gain access to user information that is necessary for, and relevant to, the services provided, the data we obtain and use may include information that is deemed as “personal information”, “network data” or “important data” under the PRC Cyber Security Law, the Civil Code and related data privacy and protection laws and regulations. As such, we have adopted a series of measures to ensure that we comply with relevant laws and regulations in the collection, use, disclosure, sharing, storage, and security of user information and other data. The Data Security Law also stipulates that the relevant authorities will formulate the catalogues for important data and strengthen the protection of important data, and state core data, i.e. data having a bearing on national security, the lifelines of national economy, people’s key livelihood and major public interests, shall be subject to stricter management system. See “Regulation”. The exact scopes of important data and state core data remain unclear and may be subject to further interpretation. If any data that we are in possession of constitutes important data or state core data, we may be required to adopt stricter measures for protection and management of such data.

While we take all these measures to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of the measures undertaken by us and business partners, and such measures may still be determined as insufficient, improper, or even as user-privacy invasive, by the relevant authorities, which may result in penalties against us. The activities of third parties such as our customers and business partners are beyond our control. If our business partners violate the PRC Cyber Security Law and other laws and regulations relating to the protection of personal information, or fail to fully comply with the service agreements with us, or if any of our employees fail to comply with our internal control measures and misuse the information, we may be subject to penalties and other legal liabilities. As part of the efforts by the Cyber Administration of China and other regulators to enhance data protection, a wide number of apps and companies have been reprimanded in the first half of 2021, including certain Baidu apps. Although we have updated the apps to fully comply with the requirements of the CAC, we cannot guarantee you that we will not be subject to more similar rectification requests from the governmental authorities or that we will fully comply with all applicable rules and regulations at all times. Any failure or perceived failure to comply with all applicable data privacy and protection laws and regulations, or any failure or perceived failure of our business partners to do so, or any failure or perceived failure of our employees to comply with our internal control measures, may result in negative publicity and legal proceedings or regulatory actions against us, and could damage our reputation, discourage current and potential users and customers from using our products or services and subject us to fines, damages and rectification, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

In addition, regulatory requirements on cybersecurity and data privacy are constantly evolving and can be subject to varying interpretations or significant changes, resulting in uncertainties about the scope of our responsibilities in that regard. For example, the Draft Personal Information Protection Law, which was promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in October 2020 for public comments and was further revised and promulgated in April 2021 for the public comments, sets forth more specific requirements on and introduces notable changes to the current obligations of personal information protection under applicable PRC laws and regulations. There are also a number of legislative proposals in the European Union and the United States, at both the federal and state level, as well as other jurisdictions that could impose new obligations in areas affecting our business. New laws or regulations concerning data protection, or the interpretation and application of existing consumer and data protection laws or regulations, which are often uncertain and in flux, may be inconsistent with our practices. The introduction of new products or other actions that we may take may subject us to additional laws, regulations, or other government scrutiny. Complying with new laws and regulations could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business. For example, if privacy concerns or regulatory restrictions prevent us from selling demographically targeted advertising, we may become less attractive to online advertising customers. In addition, some countries are considering or have passed legislation implementing data

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protection requirements or requiring local storage and processing of data or similar requirements that could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services.

On July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China published the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Revised Draft for Comments), which will replace the current Measures for Cybersecurity Review after it is adopted and becomes effective and further restates and expands the applicable scope of the cybersecurity review. Pursuant to the draft measures, critical information infrastructure operators that intend to purchase internet products and services and data processing operators engaging in data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security, must be subject to the cybersecurity review. The draft measures further stipulate that if an operator has personal information of over one million users and intends to be listed in a foreign country, it must be subject to the cybersecurity review. See “Regulations.” The draft measures were released for public comment only, and its provisions and the anticipated adoption or effective date may be subject to change with substantial uncertainty. The draft measures remain unclear on whether the relevant requirements will be applicable to companies that have been listed in the United States and intend to conduct further equity or debt offerings, such as us. Furthermore, the exact scope of “critical information infrastructure operators” under the draft measures and the current regulatory regime remains unclear, and the PRC government authorities may have wide discretion in the interpretation and enforcement of these laws. Therefore, it is uncertain whether we would be deemed as a critical information infrastructure operator under PRC law. It also remains uncertain whether the future regulatory changes would impose additional restrictions on companies like us. We cannot predict the impact of the draft measures, if any, at this stage, and we will closely monitor and assess any development in the rule-making process. If the enacted version of the draft measures mandates clearance of cybersecurity review and other specific actions to be completed by companies like us, we face uncertainties as to whether such clearance can be timely obtained, or at all. If we are not able to comply with the cybersecurity and data privacy requirements in a timely manner, or at all, we may be subject to government enforcement actions and investigations, fines, penalties, suspension of our non-compliant operations, or removal of our app from the relevant application stores, among other sanctions, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Compliance with the above PRC laws and regulations including the PRC National Security Law, the PRC Cyber Security Law, the Measures for Cybersecurity Review and the Data Security Law, as well as additional laws and regulations that PRC regulatory bodies may enact in the future, including data security and personal information protection laws and policies, rules and regulations on specific industries such as education and game, may result in additional expenses to us and subject us to negative publicity, which could harm our reputation and business operations. There are also uncertainties with respect to how such laws and regulations will be implemented and interpreted in practice. For example, PRC regulators, including the Department of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation (the “SAMR”) and the Cyberspace Administration of China, have been increasingly focused on regulation in the areas of data security and data protection, and are enhancing the protection of privacy and data security by rule-making and enforcement actions at central and local levels.

Any failure or perceived failure by us to prevent information security breaches or to comply with data security and privacy policies or related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized use, release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other data, could cause our users to lose trust in us and could expose us to legal claims or penalties. Any perception by the public that privacy of user information or data security are becoming increasingly unsafe or vulnerable to attacks could inhibit the growth of our products and services generally. We expect that these areas will be subject to greater public scrutiny and attention from regulators and more frequent and rigid investigation or review by regulators, which will increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges. We may have to spend much more personnel cost and time evaluating and managing these risks and challenges in connection with our products and services in the ordinary course of our business operations, and cooperated and will keep cooperating in the future with the competent regulators in these respects. If we are unable to manage these risks, we could become subject

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to penalties, including fines, suspension of business and revocation of required licenses, and our reputation and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We have been and may again be subject to legal proceedings, claims and investigations in the ordinary course of business and could be adversely impacted by unfavorable results of legal proceedings and investigations.

We are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and government investigations, penalties or actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not yet been fully resolved, and new legal proceedings, claims, regulatory investigations, penalties or actions may arise in the future. In addition, agreements entered into by us sometimes include indemnification provisions which may subject us to costs and damages in the event of a claim against an indemnified third party. The existence of litigation, claims, governmental investigations and proceedings may harm our reputation, business and adversely affect the trading price of our securities. In 2020, our subsidiary iQIYI was subject to SEC investigation after the publication of a short seller report by Wolfpack Research making certain allegations against iQIYI (the “Wolfpack Report”). In sum and substance, the Wolfpack Report alleges that iQIYI inflated its user numbers, inflated its revenue and deferred revenue in connection with certain parts of iQIYI’s business, inflated its expenses and the purchase prices of certain assets to conceal revenue inflation, and provided misleading financial statements of cash flows by adopting an incorrect accounting method. Following the publication of the Wolfpack Report, the SEC requested iQIYI to produce certain financial, operating, and other documents and records primarily related to the allegations in the Wolfpack Report. iQIYI has voluntarily and publicly disclosed the SEC’s request for information, and, through its legal counsel, it has been providing the SEC with requested documents and information. We are unable to predict the timing, outcome, or consequences of the SEC investigation of iQIYI, or from the SEC’s review of the documents and records requested from iQIYI. In the same year, iQIYI and certain of its current and former directors and officers were named as defendants in several federal putative securities litigations. Also in 2020, we and certain of our current and former officers were named as defendants in three federal putative securities class actions, two of which are in regard to certain of the key allegations contained in the Wolfpack Report. As explained further below, the third securities class action, which does not relate to the allegations in the Wolfpack Report, was dismissed in its entirety with prejudice in May 2021. In 2021, we and certain of our former officers were named as defendants in a separate federal putative securities class action alleging that our subsidiary, iQIYI, made false and misleading statements in its public disclosure documents in violation of federal securities laws. In the event that a court finds that iQIYI, Baidu and/or other defendants violated any of the applicable securities laws, or in the event that iQIYI, Baidu and/or other defendants choose to reach a settlement with plaintiffs, iQIYI and/or Baidu may be liable for civil monetary damages and the potential financial, operational and reputational impact on iQIYI and/or Baidu may be material. However, we cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of these class actions, and there is no basis to conclude at this point whether such actions will be successful or whether we will be subject to any damages, let alone how much. For more details, see “Certain Financial Data—Legal Proceedings.” Regardless of the merit of particular claims, legal proceedings, government investigations and proceedings may result in reputational harm, be expensive to respond, time consuming, disruptive to our operations and distracting to management. In the event we or iQIYI does not prevail or we or iQIYI enters into settlement arrangements in any of these proceedings or investigations, we or iQIYI may incur significant expenses which may materially adversely affect our results of operations.

The outcome of legal proceedings and investigations is inherently uncertain. If one or more legal matters were resolved against us or an indemnified third party in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, our financial condition and operating results for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected. Further, such an outcome could result in significant compensatory, punitive or trebled monetary damages, disgorgement of revenue or profits, remedial corporate measures or injunctive relief against us that could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

In addition to the content developed and posted on our platform by ourselves, our users may post information on Baidu Post, Baidu Knows, Baidu Wiki, Baidu Wenku and other sections of our platform, our content providers may provide content through Baijiahao platform and our P4P customers may create text-based

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descriptions, image descriptions and other phrases to be used as text, images or keywords in our search listings, and users can also use our personal cloud computing service to upload, store and share documents, images, audio and videos on our cloud servers. We have been and may continue to be subject to claims and investigations for intellectual property ownership and infringement, defamation, negligence or other legal theories based on the content found on our platform, the results in our paid search listings or our other products and services, which, with or without merit, may result in diversion of management attention and financial resources and negative publicity for our brand and reputation. In November 2018, an individual, together with his related company, filed a complaint alleging acts of defamation and libel, commercial disparagement, tortious inference with prospective business relations, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy against, among others, us and Robin Yanhong Li in his capacity as our chairman and chief executive officer, in the Supreme Court of New York. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the defendants published articles containing false and defamatory statements concerning the plaintiffs, and sought damages in an aggregate amount of US$11 billion, including purported punitive damages of US$10 billion. The defendants moved the complaint to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and filed motions to dismiss the complaint. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed that complaint, and then added us and Mr. Li as defendants to the Second State Court Lawsuit. We filed motions to dismiss that complaint, which were not opposed. The Plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary discontinuance of the complaint in the Second State Court Lawsuit, and subsequently filed a nearly identical complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In January 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed that complaint in its entirety with prejudice, and the time for plaintiff to appeal that dismissal has expired. In February 2020, the Supreme Court of New York granted defendants’ motions to discontinue the Second State Court Lawsuit with prejudice. No appeal of that order has been filed as of the date of this disclosure. We believe these claims to be without merit and intend to continue to defend ourselves vigorously. Separately, in April 2020, we and certain of our current and former officers were named as defendants in a federal putative securities class action alleging, in sum and substance, that our disclosures were materially false or misleading as they misrepresented Baidu’s ability to monitor and filter illicit or improper content on its platform, and failed to disclose alleged investigations and violations of PRC regulatory requirements relating to the monitoring or filtering of illicit or improper content online. In April 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted defendants’ motion to dismiss in its entirety, and in May 2021, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action in its entirety with prejudice. See “Certain Financial Data—Legal Proceedings.” Furthermore, if the content posted on our platform or found, stored or shared through our other products and services contains information that government authorities find objectionable, our platform or relevant products or services may be shut down and we may be subject to other penalties. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—We may be subject to liability for information displayed on or linked to our websites, mobile apps, Smart Mini Program or Managed Page and negative publicity in international media and our business may be adversely affected as a result.” of our 2020 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

We have been, and may again in the future be, subject to claims, investigations or negative publicity based on the results in our paid search listings. Claims have been filed against us after we allowed certain customers to register keywords containing trademarks, trade names or brand names owned by others and displayed links to such customers’ websites in our paid search listings. While we maintain a database of certain well-known trademarks and continually update our system algorithms and functions to guard against customers keywords containing the well-known trademarks that are owned by others, it is not possible for us to completely prevent our customers from bidding on keywords that contain trademarks, trade names or brand names owned by others. There has been negative publicity about fraudulent information in our paid search listings. Although we have been continually enhancing our technology, control and oversight to prevent fraudulent websites, web pages and information from appearing in our paid search listings, there is no guarantee that the measures we have taken are effective at all times. Claims, investigations and negative publicity based on the results in our paid search listings, regardless of their merit, may divert management attention, severely disrupt our operations, adversely affect our results of operations and harm our reputation.

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We face risks associated with our acquisition of YY Live and its online live streaming business.

Baidu (Hong Kong) Limited, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into definitive agreements with JOYY Inc. and certain of its affiliates, which are collectively referred to as JOYY, to acquire YY Live on November 16, 2020, and subsequently amended the share purchase agreement on February 7, 2021. The closing of this acquisition is subject to certain conditions, including, among others, obtaining necessary regulatory approvals from governmental authorities. We and JOYY Inc. have agreed to extend the long stop date of the proposed transaction to a date mutually agreed upon by the parties. On November 18, 2020, Muddy Waters issued a short seller report containing certain allegations against JOYY, including YY Live business. Based on public records, in November 2020, JOYY and certain of its current and former officers and directors were named as defendants in a federal putative securities class action alleging that they made material misstatements and omissions in documents filed with the SEC regarding certain of the allegations contained in the Muddy Waters short seller report. On February 8, 2021, JOYY publicly disclosed that its audit committee conducted an independent review of the allegations raised in the report related to the YY Live business, with the assistance of independent counsel, working with a team of experienced forensic auditors and data analytics experts, and that the review concluded that the allegations raised and conclusions reached in the report about the YY Live business were not substantiated. We are currently unable to predict the possible or further consequence that may arise from or relate in any way to the allegations contained in the Muddy Waters short seller report. There might be other class actions or regulatory enforcement actions in connection with such allegations. Any adverse outcome as a result of the short seller report, or any class action or regulatory enforcement action in connection thereof, could have a material adverse effect on YY Live’s business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows, and reputation, and we may record impairment charges or write-offs of intangible assets and goodwill in connection with the acquisition in the future. Even if the allegations against JOYY may ultimately be proven to be groundless, we may have to allocate a portion of our resources to make assessment in relation to the short seller report and various matters provided for in the share purchase agreement. In the event that there is a dispute as to whether indemnification provision is triggered, we may need to utilize a significant portion of our resources and divert management’s attention from our day-to-day operations to resolve such disputes, including any litigation or other legal proceedings arising thereof.

There can be no assurance that the acquired YY Live will bring the anticipated benefits to us. We have relatively limited experience with operating the online live streaming business and we may not be able to successfully integrate YY Live into our existing business. We face uncertainties and challenges in navigating the complex regulatory environment, competing effectively in attracting and retaining users and hosts, and developing and/or upgrading products and services as well as technologies to meet everchanging user needs. If implemented ineffectively or if impacted by unforeseen negative economic or market conditions or other factors, we may not realize the full anticipated benefits of the acquisition of YY Live. Our failure to meet the challenges involved in realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of YY Live could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, our activities and could adversely affect our results of operations. The acquisition and integration of the businesses may result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses and diversion of management’s attention, and we may record impairment charges or write-offs in connection therewith if the anticipated benefits of the acquisition fail to realize. We would be subject to and may not be able to successfully manage a variety of additional risks associated with respect to combining YY Live with us. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

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We are exposed to significant downward adjustments or impairments in the market values of our investments, which will be material to financial statements.

As part of our business strategy, we have investments in both private and public companies. Fair values of these investments can be negatively impacted by fluctuations in the share prices of public companies we own, the fair value of private companies we own, liquidity, credit deterioration or losses, financial results, foreign exchange rates, changes in interest rates, or other factors. In addition, after adopting ASC Topic 321, Investments—Equity Securities (“ASC 321”), on January 1, 2018, for investments previously accounted for using the cost method, we elected to use the measurement alternative to measure these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, if any. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value, and any changes in fair value are recognized in earnings, instead of through other comprehensive income if they were previously designated as available for sale equity securities under legacy GAAP. The change of these equity securities’ fair value could result in significant fluctuation of our financial condition and operating results.

For example, in 2019, the market value of Trip.com declined, and the continuing low market price of its ADSs caused us to recognize a non-cash impairment loss of RMB8.9 billion in the third quarter of 2019. We have also recognized impairment charges on our long-term investments in 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19 and other factors. Recently, the market value of Kuaishou Technology declined, and the continuing low market price of its shares caused us to recognize a fair-value loss in the second quarter of 2021. We may still suffer significant impairment loss or downward adjustments of our investments in the future. The carrying amounts of long-term investments as of June 30, 2021 were RMB101.3 billion (US$15.7 billion). The value or liquidity of our investments could decline and result in a material impairment, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

The discontinuation of any of the preferential income tax treatments currently available to us in the PRC could have a material and adverse effect on our result of operations and financial condition.

Pursuant to the EIT Law, as further clarified by subsequent tax regulations implementing the EIT Law, foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises are subject to EIT at a uniform rate of 25%. Certain enterprises may benefit from a preferential tax rate of 15% under the EIT Law if they qualify as “High and New Technology Enterprises strongly supported by the state,” subject to certain general factors described in the EIT Law and the related regulations. An enterprise may benefit from a tax exemption or preferential tax rate of 10%

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under the EIT law if it qualifies as a “Key Software Enterprise.” Enterprises wishing to enjoy the “Key Software Enterprise” status will be subject to relevant governmental authorities’ assessment each year as to whether they are entitled to the tax exemption or preferential tax rate of 10%.

A number of our PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities are entitled to enjoy a preferential tax rate of 15% due to their qualification as “High and New Technology Enterprise,” which are subject to renewal every three years and their current preferential treatment under such “High and New Technology Enterprise” certificates will expire in 2022 and 2023. If any or some of these PRC subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities fail to maintain the “High and New Technology Enterprise” qualification, their applicable EIT rate will increase to 25%. Furthermore, certain of these PRC subsidiaries were entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 10% from 2010 to 2019 due to their “Key Software Enterprise” status. However, these PRC subsidiaries did not retained their respective “Key Software Enterprise” status for 2020, and did not enjoy a preferential income tax rate of 10% for 2020. There is no assurance that any of these entities will be able to obtain the “Key Software Enterprise” again in the future. See “Item 5.A. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Taxation—PRC Enterprise Income Tax” of our 2020 Form 20-F.

The discontinuation of any of the above-mentioned preferential income tax treatments currently available to us in the PRC could have a material and adverse effect on our result of operations and financial condition. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our current effective tax rate in the future.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

PRC laws and regulations governing our businesses and the validity of certain of our contractual arrangements are uncertain. If we are found to be in violation, we could be subject to sanctions. In addition, changes in PRC laws and regulations or changes in interpretations thereof may materially and adversely affect our business.

Current PRC laws and regulations place certain restrictions and conditions on foreign ownership of certain areas of businesses. For example, pursuant to the 2020 Negative List, foreign investors are not allowed to own more than 50% of the equity interests in a value-added telecommunication service provider (excluding e-commerce, domestic multiparty communications, store-and-forward and call centers). In addition, foreign investors are prohibited from investing in companies engaged in internet culture businesses (except for music) and radio and television program production businesses.

We and our PRC subsidiaries are still considered foreign persons or foreign-invested enterprises under PRC foreign investment related laws. As a result, we and our PRC subsidiaries are subject to PRC legal restrictions on or conditions for foreign ownership of various industries, including the aforementioned ones. Due to these restrictions and conditions, we operate our platform and conduct business in certain restricted or prohibited industries in China through our consolidated affiliated entities. As all the nominee shareholders of our consolidated affiliated entities are either PRC citizens or PRC domestic enterprises, these entities are therefore considered as PRC domestic enterprises under PRC law. The “nominee shareholders” refer to those shareholders who have entered into exclusive equity purchase and transfer option agreements and equity pledge agreements with us as part of the contractual arrangements. Our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and the nominee shareholders allow us to have the power to direct the activities of these entities that most significantly impact their economic performance. These contractual arrangements demonstrate our ability and intention to continue to exercise the ability to absorb losses or receive economic benefits that could potentially be significant to the consolidated affiliated entities. In 2018, 2019, 2020 and the six months ended June 30, 2021, we derived 33%, 40%, 43% and 43% of our external revenues from our consolidated affiliated entities, respectively.

However, we are a Cayman Islands holding company with no equity ownership in our consolidated affiliated entities and we conduct our operations in China through (i) our PRC subsidiaries and (ii) our consolidated affiliated entities with which we have maintained contractual arrangements. Investors in our

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Class A ordinary shares or the ADSs thus are not purchasing equity interest in our consolidated affiliated entities in China but instead are purchasing equity interest in a Cayman Islands holding company. If the PRC government deems that our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities do not comply with PRC regulatory restrictions on foreign investment in the relevant industries, or if these regulations or the interpretation of existing regulations change or are interpreted differently in the future, we could be subject to severe penalties or be forced to relinquish our interests in those operations. Baidu, Inc. may not be able to repay the Notes and other indebtedness, and our shares may decline in value or become worthless, if we are unable to assert our contractual control rights over the assets of our PRC subsidiaries that conduct all or substantially all of our operations. Our holding company in the Cayman Islands, our consolidated affiliated entities, and investors of our company face uncertainty about potential future actions by the PRC government that could affect the enforceability of the contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities and, consequently, significantly affect the financial performance of our consolidated affiliated entities and our company as a group.

There are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing our business, or the enforcement and performance of our contractual arrangements with our consolidated affiliated entities, including but not limited to Baidu Netcom and the nominee shareholders. These laws and regulations may be subject to change, and their official interpretation and enforcement may involve substantial uncertainty. New laws and regulations that affect existing and proposed future businesses may also be applied retroactively. Due to the uncertainty and complexity of the regulatory environment, we cannot assure you that we would always be in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations, the violation of which may have adverse effect on our business and our reputation.

Although we believe we, our PRC subsidiaries and our consolidated affiliated entities comply with current PRC laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that the PRC government would agree that our contractual arrangements comply with PRC licensing, registration or other regulatory requirements, with existing policies or with requirements or policies that may be adopted in the future. The PRC government has broad discretion in determining rectifiable or punitive measures for non-compliance with or violations of PRC laws and regulations. If the PRC government determines that we or our consolidated affiliated entities do not comply with applicable law, it could revoke our consolidated affiliated entities’ business and operating licenses, require our consolidated affiliated entities to discontinue or restrict our consolidated affiliated entities’ operations, restrict our consolidated affiliated entities’ right to collect revenues, block our consolidated affiliated entities’ websites, require our consolidated affiliated entities to restructure our operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which our consolidated affiliated entities may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our consolidated affiliated entities’ business operations or on their customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against our consolidated affiliated entities that could be harmful to their business. Any of these or similar occurrences could significantly disrupt our or our consolidated affiliated entities’ business operations or restrict our consolidated affiliated entities from conducting a substantial portion of their business operations, which could materially and adversely affect our consolidated affiliated entities’ business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these occurrences results in our inability to direct the activities of any of our consolidated affiliated entities that most significantly impact its economic performance, and/or our failure to receive the economic benefits from any of our consolidated affiliated entities, we may not be able to consolidate these entities in our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Risks Related to Doing Business in China

The approval of the CSRC or other PRC government authorities may be required in connection with our offshore offerings under PRC law, and, if required, we cannot predict whether or for how long we will be able to obtain such approval.

The Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, adopted by six PRC regulatory agencies in 2006 and amended in 2009, requires an overseas special purpose vehicle formed for listing purposes through acquisitions of PRC domestic companies and controlled by

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PRC persons or entities to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. The interpretation and application of the regulations remain unclear, and our offshore offerings may ultimately require approval of the CSRC. If the CSRC approval is required, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain the approval and, even if we obtain such CSRC approval, the approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining the CSRC approval for any of our offshore offerings, or a rescission of such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions imposed by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities, which could include fines and penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on our ability to pay dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

On July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law. These opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision on overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based overseas-listed companies. As these opinions are recently issued, official guidance and related implementation rules have not been issued yet and the interpretation of these opinions remains unclear at this stage. We cannot assure you that any new rules or regulations promulgated in the future will not impose additional requirements on us. If it is determined in the future that approval from the CSRC or other regulatory authorities or other procedures, including the cybersecurity review under the enacted version of the revised Measures for Cybersecurity Review, are required for our offshore offerings, it is uncertain whether we can or how long it will take us to obtain such approval or complete such procedures and any such approval could be rescinded. Any failure to obtain or delay in obtaining such approval or completing such procedures for our offshore offerings, or a rescission of any such approval if obtained by us, would subject us to sanctions by the CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities for failure to seek CSRC approval or other government authorization for our offshore offerings. These regulatory authorities may impose fines and penalties on our operations in China, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, limit our operating privileges in China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from our offshore offerings into China or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects, as well as the trading price of our shares. The CSRC or other PRC regulatory authorities also may take actions requiring us, or making it advisable for us, to halt our offshore offerings before settlement and delivery of the shares offered. Consequently, if investors engage in market trading or other activities in anticipation of and prior to settlement and delivery, they do so at the risk that settlement and delivery may not occur. In addition, if the CSRC or other regulatory authorities later promulgate new rules or explanations requiring that we obtain their approvals or accomplish the required filing or other regulatory procedures for our prior offshore offerings, we may be unable to obtain a waiver of such approval requirements, if and when procedures are established to obtain such a waiver. Any uncertainties or negative publicity regarding such approval requirement could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, reputation, and the trading price of the shares.

Our ADSs may be delisted under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act if the PCAOB is unable to inspect auditors who are located in China. The delisting of our ADSs, or the threat of their being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment. Additionally, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections deprives our investors with the benefits of such inspections.

The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, or the HFCA Act, was enacted on December 18, 2020. The HFCA Act states if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspection by the PCAOB for three consecutive years beginning in 2021, the SEC shall prohibit our shares or ADSs from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over the counter trading market in the U.S.

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Our auditor, the independent registered public accounting firm that issues the audit report included in our 2020 Form 20-F incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and the interim financial information included in this prospectus supplement, as an auditor of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and a firm registered with the PCAOB, is subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess its compliance with the applicable professional standards. Since our auditor is located in China, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB has been unable to conduct inspections without the approval of the Chinese authorities, our auditor is currently not inspected by the PCAOB.

On March 24, 2021, the SEC adopted interim final rules relating to the implementation of certain disclosure and documentation requirements of the HFCA Act. We will be required to comply with these rules if the SEC identifies us as having a “non-inspection” year under a process to be subsequently established by the SEC. The SEC is assessing how to implement other requirements of the HFCA Act, including the listing and trading prohibition requirements described above.

On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed a bill which, if passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law, would reduce the number of consecutive non-inspection years required for triggering the prohibitions under the HFCA Act from three years to two.

The SEC may propose additional rules or guidance that could impact us if our auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspection. For example, on August 6, 2020, the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets, or the PWG, issued the Report on Protecting United States Investors from Significant Risks from Chinese Companies to the then President of the United States. This report recommended the SEC implement five recommendations to address companies from jurisdictions that do not provide the PCAOB with sufficient access to fulfil its statutory mandate. Some of the concepts of these recommendations were implemented with the enactment of the HFCA Act. However, some of the recommendations were more stringent than the HFCA Act. For example, if a company was not subject to PCAOB inspection, the report recommended that the transition period before a company would be delisted would end on January 1, 2022.

The SEC has announced that the SEC staff is preparing a consolidated proposal for the rules regarding the implementation of the HFCA Act and to address the recommendations in the PWG report. It is unclear when the SEC will complete its rulemaking and when such rules will become effective and what, if any, of the PWG recommendations will be adopted. The implications of this possible regulation in addition the requirements of the HFCA Act are uncertain. Such uncertainty could cause the market price of our ADSs to be materially and adversely affected, and our securities could be delisted or prohibited from being traded “over-the-counter” earlier than would be required by the HFCA Act. If our securities are unable to be listed on another securities exchange by then, such a delisting would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our ADSs when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with a potential delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our ADSs.

The PCAOB’s inability to conduct inspections in China prevents it from fully evaluating the audits and quality control procedures of our independent registered public accounting firm. As a result, we and investors in our ordinary shares are deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in China makes it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firm’s audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors outside of China that are subject to the PCAOB inspections, which could cause investors and potential investors in our stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.

In May 2013, the PCAOB announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Enforcement Cooperation with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance, which establishes a cooperative framework between the parties for the production and exchange of audit documents relevant to investigations undertaken by the PCAOB in the PRC or by the CSRC or the PRC Ministry of Finance in the United States. The

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PCAOB continues to be in discussions with the CSRC and the PRC Ministry of Finance to permit joint inspections in the PRC of audit firms that are registered with the PCAOB and audit Chinese companies that trade on U.S. exchanges.

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us.

We conduct our business primarily through our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities in China. Our operations in China are governed by PRC laws and regulations. Our subsidiaries are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value.

PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China for the past decades. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited volume of published decisions and their nonbinding nature, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties.

Furthermore, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all. As a result, we may not be aware of our potential violation of these policies and rules. In addition, any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

PRC government has significant oversight over the conduct of our business and it has recently indicated an intent to exert more oversight over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. Any such action could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.

Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms and other anti-monopoly laws and regulations may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, litigation or claims against us and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The PRC anti-monopoly enforcement agencies have in recent years strengthened enforcement under the PRC Anti-monopoly Law. In March 2018, the SAMR was formed as a new governmental agency to take over, among other things, the anti-monopoly enforcement functions from the relevant departments under the MOFCOM, the NDRC and the SAIC, respectively. Since its inception, the SAMR has continued to strengthen anti-monopoly enforcement. In December 2018, the SAMR issued the Notice on Anti-monopoly Enforcement Authorization, which grants authorities to its province-level branches to conduct anti-monopoly enforcement within their respective jurisdictions. In September 2020, the SAMR issued Anti-monopoly Compliance Guideline for Operators, which requires, under the PRC Anti-monopoly Law, operators to establish anti-monopoly compliance management systems to prevent anti-monopoly compliance risks. On February 7, 2021, the Antimonopoly Commission of the State Council officially promulgated the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms. Pursuant to an official interpretation from the Anti-monopoly Commission of the State Council, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms mainly covers five aspects, including general provisions, monopoly agreements, abusing market dominance, concentration of undertakings, and abusing of administrative powers eliminating or restricting competition. The Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms prohibits certain monopolistic acts of internet platforms so as to protect market competition and safeguard interests of users and undertakings participating in internet platform economy, including without limitation, prohibiting companies with dominant position from abusing their market dominance (such as discriminating customers in terms of pricing and other transactional conditions using big data and analytics, coercing counterparties into exclusivity arrangements, using technology means to block competitors’ interface,

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favorable positioning in search results of goods displays, using bundle services to sell services or products, compulsory collection of unnecessary user data). In addition, the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms also reinforces antitrust merger review for internet platform related transactions to safeguard market competition. In practice, the PRC governmental authority also strengthens the supervision of monopoly and other unfair competition acts, and requests to establish a new order of the platform economy. In April 2021, the SAMR, together with certain other PRC government authorities convened an administrative guidance meeting, focusing on unfair competition acts in community group buying, self-inspection and rectification by major internet companies of possible violations of anti-monopoly, anti-unfair competition, tax and other related laws and regulations, and requesting such companies to comply with relevant laws and regulations strictly and be subject to public supervision. In addition, many internet companies, including the over 30 companies which attended such administrative guidance meeting, are required to conduct a comprehensive self-inspection and make necessary rectification accordingly. The SAMR has stated it will organize and conduct inspections on the companies’ rectification results. If the companies are found to conduct illegal activities, more severe penalties are expected to be imposed on them in accordance with the laws. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have completed such self-inspection and have not received any further inquiry from the relevant governmental authorities. As the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms was newly promulgated, we are unable to estimate its specific impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. We cannot assure you that our business operations comply with such regulations and authorities’ requirements in all respects. If any non-compliance is raised by relevant authorities and determined against us, we may be subject to fines and other penalties.

To our knowledge, until recently there have been few precedents where internet companies with a VIE structure were investigated for being involved in the concentrations of undertaking. It has been long debated whether transactions involving internet companies with a VIE structure are subject to prior filing of notification requirements, since filing of notification of concentration of undertaking made by some internet companies were not accepted in the past. Due to such regulatory history in the industry and as a matter of common industry practice in the past, we did not file prior notification of concentrations of undertaking. In April 2020, the SAMR published a case of concentration of undertaking where a VIE structure was involved (such case was closed in July 2020 and unconditional approval was granted). In November 2020, the draft Guidelines to Anti-Monopoly in the Field of Internet Platforms also, for the first time, expressly include concentrations involving a VIE structure within the ambit of SAMR’s merger control review if the reporting thresholds are triggered. Furthermore, in December 2020, the SAMR has, for the first time, formally penalized three internet companies with a VIE structure for failure to file prior notifications of implementing concentrations. Hence, starting from 2020, the SAMR has been reviewing historical cases of concentrations of undertaking of internet companies with a VIE structure, and past failure to file prior notification of concentrations of undertaking may be investigated and penalized.

We have received enquiries from the SAMR related to failure to file prior notification of concentrations of undertaking. In February and August 2021, we received from the SAMR two notifications in connection with two cases for failing to file the prior notifications of concentrations of undertaking, imposing a fine of RMB500,000 in each case. There can be no assurance that such enquiries can be resolved in a timely manner to the SAMR’s satisfaction, or that we will not be subject to more enquiries or penalties in the future. If the SAMR determines we, in the past or in the future, have failed to file other concentrations which are subject to the prior notification, we may be subject to penalty, including fines up to RMB500,000 per case, and in extreme case being ordered to terminate the contemplated concentration, to dispose of our equity or asset within a prescribed period, to transfer our business within a prescribed time or to take any other necessary measures to restore to the pre-concentration status. We may receive greater scrutiny and attention from regulators and more frequent and rigid investigation or review by regulators, which will increase our compliance costs and subject us to heightened risks and challenges. We may have to spend much more personnel cost and time evaluating and managing these risks and challenges in connection with our products and services as well as our investments in our ordinary business course to avoid any failure to comply with these regulations. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with the Anti-Monopoly Guidelines for Internet Platforms and other anti-monopoly laws

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and regulations may result in governmental investigations or enforcement actions, lawsuits or claims against us and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to the Notes

The Notes will be structurally subordinated to all obligations of our existing and future subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities.

The Notes will not be guaranteed by any of our existing or future subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities, who together hold substantially all of our operating assets and conduct substantially all of our business. Our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the Notes or to make any funds available to pay those amounts, whether by dividend, distribution, loan, or other payment. The Notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities such that in the event of insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, or other winding up of any of our subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities, all of that subsidiary’s or consolidated affiliated entity’s creditors (including trade creditors) and any holders of preferred stock or shares would be entitled to payment in full out of that subsidiary’s or consolidated affiliated entity’s assets before any remaining assets would be available to Baidu, Inc. to make payments due on the Notes.

In addition, the indenture governing the Notes will, subject to some limitations, permit these subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities to incur additional obligations and will not contain any limitation on the amount of indebtedness or other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities.

The indenture does not restrict the amount of additional debt that we may incur.

The Notes and the indenture under which the Notes will be issued do not limit the amount of unsecured debt that may be incurred by us or our subsidiaries or consolidated affiliated entities, and they permit us and certain of our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities to incur secured debt without equally and ratably securing the Notes under specified circumstances. As of June 30, 2021, our total debt was RMB82.0 billion (US$12.7 billion), primarily consisting of US$469 million in short-term loans, US$2.1 billion in long-term loans, and our US$750 million 3.500% notes due 2022, US$500 million 4.125% notes due 2025, US$900 million 2.875% notes due 2022, US$600 million 3.625% notes due 2027, US$1.0 billion 3.875% notes due 2023, US$500 million 4.375% notes due 2028, US$850 million 4.375% notes due 2024, US$600 million 3.075% notes due 2025, US$400 million 4.875% notes due 2028, US$400 million of 3.425% notes due 2030, US$650 million of 1.720% notes due 2026, US$300 million of 2.375% notes due 2030, iQIYI’s US$750 million 3.75% convertible senior notes due 2023, iQIYI’s US$1.2 billion 2.00% convertible senior notes due 2025, and iQIYI’s US$900 million 4.00% convertible senior notes due 2026. After the completion of this offering, we and our subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities may incur additional debt. Our and our subsidiaries’ and consolidated affiliated entities’ incurrence of additional debt may have important consequences for you as a holder of the Notes, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes, a loss in the market value of your Notes and a risk that the credit rating of the Notes is lowered or withdrawn.

The Notes will be effectively subordinated to any of our secured obligations to the extent of the value of the property securing those obligations.

The Notes will not be secured by any of our assets. As a result, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to our existing and future secured obligations with respect to the assets that secure those obligations. The effect of this subordination is that upon a default in payment on, or the acceleration of, any of our secured obligations, or in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, or reorganization, the proceeds from the sale of assets securing our secured obligations will be available to pay obligations on the Notes only after all such secured obligations have been paid in full. As a result, the holders of the Notes may receive less, ratably, than the holders of secured debt in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, or reorganization.

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We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Triggering Event.

Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event described in “Description of the Notes—Repurchase Upon Triggering Event,” we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the date of repurchase. The source of funds for any purchase of the Notes would be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries’ or consolidated affiliated entities’ operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the Notes upon a Triggering Event because we may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the debt securities that are tendered upon a Triggering Event and repay our other indebtedness that may become due. We may require additional financing from third parties to fund any such purchases, and we may be unable to obtain financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Further, our ability to repurchase the Notes may be limited by law.

Holders of the Notes may not be able to determine when a Triggering Event giving rise to their right to have the Notes repurchased has occurred.

The definition of Triggering Event in the indenture that will govern the Notes includes a phrase relating to operating “substantially all” or deriving “substantially all” of the economic benefits from, the business operations conducted by the Group. There is no precise established definition of the phrase “substantially all” under New York law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the Notes to require us to repurchase its Notes as a result of a Triggering Event may be uncertain.

We have significant flexibility in allocating the net proceeds of the Sustainability Notes and there can be no assurance that such net proceeds will be totally or partially disbursed for any Eligible Projects.

We intend to use an equivalent amount of the estimated net proceeds from the Sustainability Notes to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, one or more of our new or existing Eligible Projects, pursuant to our Sustainable Finance Framework. However, there can be no assurance that any such Eligible Project will be implemented in part or in its entirety in such manner and/or in accordance with any timing schedule, or that any such Eligible Project will be completed within any specified period or at all or with the results or outcome as we originally expected or anticipated. We have significant flexibility in allocating the net proceeds of the Sustainability Notes and there can be no assurance that such net proceeds will be totally or partially disbursed for the Eligible Projects. Neither the terms of the Sustainability Notes nor the Indenture governing the Sustainability Notes require us to use the proceeds as described under “Use of Proceeds,” and any failure by us to comply with the anticipated use of proceeds will not constitute an event of default under the Sustainability Notes or the Indenture or result in an increase in interest rates or other penalties. Prospective investors should carefully review the information set out in this prospectus supplement regarding such use of the net proceeds and must determine for themselves the relevance of such information for the purpose of any investment in the Sustainability Notes together with any other investigation such investor deems necessary and whether the Sustainability Notes are suitable for their investment criteria.

There is no clear legal and regulatory definition of or market consensus of or standardized criteria for what constitutes a “green,” “social,” “sustainability” or other equivalently labeled project or investment, and there can be no assurance that the use of proceeds of the Sustainability Notes to finance the Eligible Projects will be suitable for the investment criteria of an investor.

There is currently no clear definition (legal, regulatory or otherwise) of, nor market consensus as to what constitutes, a “green,” “social,” “sustainability” or an equivalently-labeled project or investment, or as to what exact characteristics or attributes may be required for a particular project to be defined as “green,” “social,” “sustainability” or such other equivalent label, and no assurance can be given that a clear definition of or consensus regarding such projects will develop over time.

None of the Representatives for this offering is responsible for assessing or verifying whether the Eligible Projects to which we allocate the net proceeds of the Sustainability Notes meet the criteria or went through the

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process of evaluation and selection described in “Use of Proceeds,” or for monitoring the use of proceeds. In particular, no assurance is given by us or any Representative of the Notes that the use of such net proceeds to fund any Eligible Projects will satisfy (or will continue to satisfy), whether in whole or in part, any present or future investor expectations or requirements, taxonomies or standards or other investment criteria or guidelines with which such investor or its investments are required to comply, whether by any present or future applicable laws or regulations or by its own by-laws or other governing rules or investment portfolio mandates, ratings mandates or other independent expectations regarding such “green,” “social,” “sustainability” or other equivalently-labeled performance objectives, in particular with regard to any direct or indirect environmental, social, or sustainability impact of any projects or uses, the subject of or related to, any Eligible Project. Any failure to allocate the net proceeds from the sale of the Sustainability Notes to the Eligible Projects or the failure of those investments or financings to satisfy investor expectations or requirements could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Sustainability Notes.

In addition, no assurance or representation is given as to the suitability or reliability for any purpose whatsoever of any opinion or certification of any third party (whether or not solicited by us) that may be made available in connection with the offering of the Sustainability Notes and, in particular, with respect to whether the Sustainability Notes or the Eligible Projects fulfill any environmental, social, sustainability and/or other criteria. For the avoidance of doubt, any such opinion or certification is not and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into and/or form part of this prospectus supplement. Any such opinion or certification is not, nor should it be deemed to be, a recommendation by us or any representative, or any other person to buy, sell or hold the Sustainability Notes. Any such opinion or certification is only current as of the date that opinion or certification was initially issued. Currently, the providers of such opinions and certifications may not be subject to any specific regulatory or other regime or oversight. Any withdrawal of any such opinion or certification or any additional opinion or certification attesting that we are not complying in whole or in part with any matters with respect to which such opinion or certification is opining or certifying may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Sustainability Notes and/or result in adverse consequences for certain investors with mandates to invest in securities to be used for a particular purpose. Prospective investors must determine for themselves the relevance of any such opinion or certification and/or the information contained therein and/or the provider of such opinion or certification for the purpose of any investment in the Sustainability Notes.

The Sustainability Notes may not be included in any dedicated “green,” “environmental,” “social,” “sustainability” or other equivalently-labeled index, and any such inclusion may not be indicative of the suitability for the investment criteria of an investor.

While no assurance can be given that any such inclusion will happen, in the event that the Sustainability Notes are included in any dedicated “green,” “environmental,” “social,” “sustainability” or other equivalently-labeled index, no representation or assurance can be given by us, any representative or any other person:

In the event that the Sustainability Notes are included in any such index, any change to the inclusion status of the Sustainability Notes, including, but not limited to, the exclusion of the Sustainability Notes from the index or the suspension or admission to trading of the Sustainability Notes, may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Sustainability Notes and/or result in adverse consequences for certain investors with portfolio

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mandates to invest in securities to be used for a particular purpose. Prospective investors must have regard to the relevant projects and eligibility criteria described under the section headed “Use of Proceeds” of this prospectus supplement and determine for themselves the relevance of any such inclusion of the information contained in this prospectus supplement regarding the use of proceeds, and its purchase of any Notes should be based upon such investigation as it deems necessary.

The Notes may not be a suitable investment for all investors seeking exposure to sustainable assets.

Whilst we have agreed to certain obligations as described under this prospectus supplement titled “Use of Proceeds”, it will not constitute a covenant or undertaking under the terms of the Notes. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to comply with the obligations as set out in “Use of Proceeds” and the Sustainable Finance Framework. However it will not be an event of default under the terms of the Notes if we fail to comply with such obligations. Any failure to use the net proceeds of the issue of the Notes in connection with green projects and/or social projects, and/or environmental and/or social concerns with respect to such Notes, may affect the value and/or trading price of the Notes, and/or may have consequences for certain investors with portfolio mandates to invest in green projects and/or social projects.

We have engaged an independent consultant to review the Sustainable Finance Framework, who has issued a second party opinion, or the Second Party Opinion. The Second Party Opinion will be made available to investors via our Corporate ESG website. The Second-Party Opinion may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to the structure, market, additional risk factors discussed above and other factors that may affect the value of the Notes. The Second-Party Opinion is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold the Notes and are only current as of the date that the Second-Party Opinion was initially issued, and may be updated, suspended or withdrawn at any time. Currently, the providers of second-party opinions are not subject to any regulatory regime or oversight. A withdrawal of any of the Second-Party Opinion or any failure to use the proceeds of the Notes on projects related to the Eligible Projects or to meet or continue to meet the investment requirements of certain environmentally-focused investors with respect to such Notes, may have an adverse effect on the value of the Notes and/or may have adverse consequences for certain investors with portfolio mandates to invest in green assets.

No assurance can be provided with respect to the suitability or reliability of the Second-Party Opinion or that the Notes will fulfil the criteria to qualify as Sustainability Notes. The Representatives will not undertake, or be responsible for, any assessment of the eligibility of projects within the definition of Eligible Projects or the monitoring of the use of proceeds from the offering of the Notes. None of the Sustainable Finance Framework or the Second-Party Opinion is incorporated into, or forms part of, this prospectus supplement.

The terms of the indenture and the Notes provide only limited protection against significant corporate events that could adversely impact your investment in the Notes.

While the indenture and the Notes contain terms intended to provide protection to holders of the Notes upon the occurrence of certain events involving significant corporate transactions, these terms are limited and may not be sufficient to protect your investment in the Notes. For example, we are not required to offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes upon the occurrence of a change of control event (which event would trigger such a repurchase obligation under our 3.500% Notes due 2022 in the principal amount of US$750 million). In addition, certain important corporate events, such as merger or consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets, liquidation or dissolution and leveraged recapitalizations, would not, under the indenture that will govern the Notes, constitute a Triggering Event that would require us to repurchase the Notes, even though those corporate events could adversely affect our capital structure, credit ratings or the value of the Notes. See “Description of the Notes—Repurchase Upon Triggering Event.”

The indenture for the Notes also does not:

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As a result of the foregoing, when evaluating the terms of the Notes, you should be aware that the terms of the indenture and the Notes do not restrict our ability to engage in, or to otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances, and events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in the Notes.

An active trading market for the Notes may not develop, and the trading price of the Notes could be materially and adversely affected.

The Notes are a new issue of securities for which there is currently no trading market. We will apply to the SEHK for listing of, and permission to deal in, the Notes by way of debt issues to Professional Investors only. However, we cannot assure you that the Notes will be or remain listed. Further, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain such listing or that an active trading market will develop. If no active trading market develops, you may not be able to resell your Notes at their fair market value, or at all. Future trading prices of the Notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities. We have been advised that the underwriters intend to make a market in the Notes, but the underwriters are not obligated to do so and may discontinue such market making activity at any time without notice. Therefore there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Notes will develop or be sustained. If an active trading market for the Notes does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the Notes may be adversely affected. In addition, the Notes may trade at prices that are higher or lower than the price at which the Notes have been issued. The price at which the Notes trade depends on many factors, including:

almost all of which are beyond our control. As a result, there can be no assurance that you will be able to resell the Notes at attractive prices or at all.

We may be deemed a PRC “resident enterprise” under PRC tax laws, which could subject interest on the Notes to PRC withholding tax and gains on the transfer of the Notes to PRC income tax and could, under certain circumstances, permit us to redeem the Notes.

If we are considered a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, holders of Notes who are non-resident enterprises may be subject to PRC withholding tax on interest paid by us or PRC income tax on any gains realized from the transfer of Notes, if such income is considered to be derived from sources

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within China, at a rate of 10% (or lower rate if available under an applicable tax treaty), provided that such non-resident enterprise investor (i) has no establishment or premises in China, or (ii) has an establishment or premises in China but its income derived from China has no real connection with such establishment or premises. Furthermore, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise and relevant PRC tax authorities consider interest we pay with respect to the Notes or any gains realized from the transfer of Notes to be income derived from sources within China, such interest earned by non-resident individuals may be subject to PRC withholding tax and such gain realized by non-resident individuals may be subject to PRC individual income tax, in each case at a rate of 20% (or lower rate if available under an applicable tax treaty). However, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, it is unclear whether in practice non-resident investors would be able to obtain the benefits of tax treaties between China and their countries. In addition, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise, interest payable by us to non-resident holders of the Notes may be subject to PRC value-added tax at a rate of 6% and related local levies, including educational surtax and urban maintenance and construction tax at a rate of up to 0.72%.

If we were deemed a PRC resident enterprise and required to withhold tax on interest on the Notes, we would be required, subject to certain exceptions, to pay additional amounts as described under “Description of the Notes—Payment of Additional Amounts.” As described under “Description of Debt Securities—Tax Redemption” in the accompanying prospectus, we may redeem the Notes in whole at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest if such requirement to pay additional amounts results from a change in law (or a change in the official application or interpretation of law).

Redemption may adversely affect your return on the Notes.

We have the right to redeem some or all of the Notes prior to maturity. We may redeem the Notes at times when prevailing interest rates are relatively low. Accordingly, you may not be able to reinvest the amount received upon redemption in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the Notes.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of your investments in the Notes.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the Notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the Notes. Agency ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating.

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CERTAIN FINANCIAL DATA

Set forth below are certain consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) data and cash flow data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 and certain consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) data and cash flow data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are included in our 2020 Form 20-F and are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. The consolidated statements of comprehensive income data and cash flow data presented below for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and 2018 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements that are not included in our 2020 Form 20-F. Our audited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The consolidated statements of comprehensive income data and cash flow data presented below for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2021 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of June 30, 2021 have been derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2021 and as of June 30, 2021, which are included in this prospectus supplement. The unaudited interim financial information has been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial data, and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.

The consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements for each of the three years ended December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 and related notes and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our 2020 Form 20-F, and our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2021 and as of June 30, 2021 included in this prospectus supplement. Our historical results do not necessarily indicate results expected for any future periods.

Starting from January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2019-02, Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials (“ASU 2019-02”), using a prospective transition method. For the year ended December 31, 2020 and the six months ended June 30, 2021, cash outflows for the costs incurred to obtain rights for licensed content are reported as operating cash outflows in our consolidated statement of cash flows whereas they were reported as investing cash outflows prior to the adoption of ASU 2019-02.

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Non-GAAP Financial Measure

We believe that adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance and liquidity by excluding certain expenses, particularly share-based compensation expenses and depreciation of fixed assets that may not be indicative of our operating performance or financial condition from a cash perspective. We believe that both our management and investors benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure in assessing our performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. Adjusted EBITDA also facilitates our management’s internal comparisons to our historical performance and liquidity. We believe that adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by our management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using adjusted EBITDA is that it excludes interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business combinations, and share-based compensation charges that have been, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, significant expense items in our results of operations. Another limitation of using adjusted EBITDA is that it does not include all items that impact our net cash provided by operating activities during the period. Our management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

The presentation of adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures utilized by other companies

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since such other companies may not calculate this non-GAAP financial measure in the same manner as we do. Furthermore, we have adjusted, and may adjust from time to time the methodology of our adjusted EBITDA.

The accompanying table sets out our adjusted EBITDA for each period shown, together with a reconciliation between adjusted EBITDA and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, operating profit.

The discussion of our audited financial information for each of the three years ended December 31, 2020 and as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 is set forth in “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospectus” in our 2020 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus.

Six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to six months ended June 30, 2020

Consolidated revenues. Our total revenues increased by 22% from RMB48.6 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB59.5 billion (US$9.2 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Our online marketing revenues for Baidu Core increased by 22% from RMB28.9 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB35.3 billion (US$5.5 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Our online marketing revenues for iQIYI increased by 20% from RMB3.1 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB3.7 billion (US$580 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to the continuous rebound of brand-advertising budgets amid the macroeconomy recovery.

Other revenues increased by 24% from RMB16.6 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB20.6 billion (US$3.2 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, which was primarily due to an increase of AI cloud and other services.

Consolidated operating costs and expenses. Our total operating costs and expenses increased by 17% from RMB45.4 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB53.2 billion (US$8.2 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Cost of Revenues. Our cost of revenues increased by 11% from RMB27.8 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB30.9 billion (US$4.8 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily due to an increase in traffic acquisition costs and cost of goods sold related to new AI business.

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 32% from RMB8.3 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB11.0 billion (US$1.7 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021. This increase was primarily due to an increase in channel spending and promotional expenses and personnel-related expenses.

Research and Development Expenses. Our research and development expenses increased by 23% from RMB9.3 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB11.4 billion (US$1.8 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to personnel-related expenses.

Operating profit. As a result of the foregoing, our operating profit increased by 95% from RMB3.2 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB6.3 billion (US$968 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Total other income (loss), net. Our total other income, net was RMB21.3 billion (US$3.3 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, which included a fair value gain of RMB20.6 billion from long-term investments, primarily related to a mark-to-market adjustment on Kuaishou Technology. In the six months ended June 30, 2020, our total other loss, net amounted to RMB677 million. A significant portion of long-term investments is subject to quarterly mark-to-market adjustment, which may contribute to net income volatility in the future.

Income tax expense. Our income tax expenses increased from RMB1.4 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB3.7 billion (US$578 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in income tax expense was mainly due to deferred income tax expense recognized for long-term investments.

Net Income Attributable to Baidu, Inc. As a result of the foregoing, net income attributable to Baidu, Inc. increased substantially from RMB3.6 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB25.1 billion (US$3.9 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Segment Revenues

The following table sets forth our revenues by segment and year-over-year change rate for the periods indicated, with each segment revenues including inter-segment revenues:

Baidu Core. Baidu Core revenue increased by 30 % from RMB34.2 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB44.5 billion (US$6.9 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

iQIYI. iQIYI revenue increased by 3 % from RMB15.1 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB15.6 billion (US$2.4 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

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Segment Operating Costs and Expenses

The following table sets forth our operating costs and expenses by segment and year-over-year change rate for the periods indicated, with each segment operating costs and expenses including inter-segment costs and expenses:

Baidu Core. Operating costs and expenses of Baidu Core mainly consist of personnel-related costs, traffic acquisition costs, marketing and promotion spending, bandwidth costs, depreciation and intangible amortization expenses, cost of goods sold, content costs.

Cost of revenues. The cost of revenues of Baidu Core increased by 28% from RMB13.6 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB17.5 billion (US$2.7 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to an increase in traffic acquisition costs and cost of goods sold related to new AI business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. The selling, general and administrative expenses of Baidu Core increased by 48% from RMB5.8 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB8.6 billion (US$1.3 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to an increase in channel spending and promotional expenses and personnel-related expenses.

Research and development expenses. The research and development expenses of Baidu Core increased by 26% from RMB7.9 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB10.0 billion (US$1.6 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

iQIYI. Operating costs and expenses of iQIYI mainly consist of content costs, personnel-related costs, bandwidth costs, marketing and promotion spending, and payment platform charges.

Cost of revenues. The cost of revenues of iQIYI decreased by 5% from RMB14.7 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB14.0 billion (US$2.2 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily due to decreased content costs and bandwidth costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. The selling, general and administrative expenses of iQIYI decreased by 5% from RMB2.5 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020 to RMB2.4 billion (US$370 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021.

Research and development expenses. The research and development expenses of iQIYI were RMB1.3 billion (US$209 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, which was basically flat compared with last period.

Cash Flows and Working Capital

As of June 30, 2021, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments were RMB179.9 billion (US$27.9 billion).

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The following table sets forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.

Net cash generated from operating activities increased to RMB12.1 billion (US$1.9 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from RMB10.4 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020. This increase was primarily due to an increase of RMB22.8 billion (US$3.5 billion) in net income, partially offset by an increase of RMB18.0 billion (US$2.8 billion) in noncash income from investment and interest.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased to RMB19.5 billion (US$3.0 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from RMB20.4 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease of RMB15.0 billion (US$2.3 billion) for the net cash used in debt investments, partially offset by an increase of RMB12.0 billion (US$1.9 billion) in prepayments of acquisition of business.

Net cash generated from financing activities was RMB24.7 billion (US$3.8 billion) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net cash used in financing activities of RMB2.8 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The net cash inflow in the first half of 2021 consisted primarily of RMB19.9 billion (US$3.1 billion) in net proceeds from the global offering in connection with the Hong Kong listing and RMB6.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) in net proceeds from loans and notes, offset by a cash outflow of RMB2.1 billion (US$333 million) for share repurchase. The net cash outflow in the first half of 2020 consisted primarily of a cash outflow RMB5.1 billion for share repurchase, offset by a cash inflow of RMB2.3 billion in net proceeds from loans and notes.

Capital Expenditures

We made capital expenditures of RMB4.0 billion (US$619 million) in the six months ended June 30, 2021, representing 7% of our total revenues, as compared to RMB1.4 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2020, representing 3% of our total revenues. Our capital expenditures were primarily attributable to the purchase of servers, network equipment and other computer hardware to increase our network infrastructure capacity and expenditures on office buildings and cloud computing based data centers. We funded our capital expenditures primarily with net cash flow generated from operating activities.

Our capital expenditures may increase in the future as our business continues to grow, in connection with the expansion and improvement of our network infrastructure and further expenditures on the construction of office buildings and cloud computing based data centers. We currently plan to fund these expenditures with cash flow generated from our operating activities.

No Material Adverse Change

There has been no material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a material adverse change, in the financial or trading position, prospects or results of operations of our Company since June 30, 2021, except as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.

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Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we have been involved in litigation, administrative proceedings or other disputes regarding, among other things, copyright and trademark infringement, defamation, unfair competition, labor disputes, and anti-monopoly inquiries. Our search results provide links to materials, and our P4P, Baidu Wenku, Baidu Post, Baidu Wiki, Baidu Knows, Baidu Feed, Baidu Drive, iQIYI and certain other products or services may contain materials, in which others may allege to own copyrights, trademarks or image rights or which others may claim to be defamatory or objectionable.

In the six months ended June 30, 2021, 2,036 complaints were filed against us before various courts in China, and the aggregate amount of the damages sought in these complaints totals approximately RMB585 million (US$91 million). As of June 30, 2021, 3,219 cases against us were pending before various courts in China. The aggregate amount of damages sought under these pending cases is approximately RMB1,075 million (US$166 million). As of June 30, 2021, 5 cases against us were pending before various courts outside China. Some of these proceedings are in a preliminary stage with undetermined damages sought.

In November 2018, an individual, together with his related company, filed a complaint alleging acts of defamation and libel, commercial disparagement, tortious inference with prospective business relations, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy against, among others, us and Robin Yanhong Li in his capacity as our chairman and chief executive officer, in the Supreme Court of New York. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the defendants published articles containing false and defamatory statements concerning the plaintiffs, and sought damages in an aggregate amount of US$11 billion, including purported punitive damages of US$10 billion. The defendants moved the complaint to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and filed motions to dismiss the complaint. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed that complaint, and then added us and Mr. Li as defendants to the Second State Court Lawsuit. We filed motions to dismiss that complaint, which were not opposed. The Plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary discontinuance of the complaint in the Second State Court Lawsuit, and subsequently filed a nearly identical complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. In January 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed that complaint in its entirety with prejudice, and the time for plaintiff to appeal that dismissal has expired. In February 2020, the Supreme Court of New York granted defendants’ motions to discontinue the Second State Court Lawsuit with prejudice. No appeal of that order has been filed as of the date of this disclosure. We believe these claims to be without merit and intend to continue to defend ourselves vigorously.

For many of the above-mentioned legal proceedings, we are currently unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or a range of reasonably possible loss as the proceedings are in the early stages, or there is a lack of clear or consistent interpretation of laws specific to the industry-specific complaints among different jurisdictions. As a result, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such proceedings, which includes eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if any, and therefore, an estimate for the reasonably possible loss or a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made. With respect to the limited number of proceedings for which we are able to estimate the reasonably possible loss or the range of reasonably possible loss, such estimates are immaterial. However, we believe that such proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, when finally resolved, are not reasonably likely to have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In April 2020, a short seller report was published by Wolfpack Research (the “Wolfpack Report”). In sum and substance, the Wolfpack Report alleges that iQIYI inflated its user numbers, inflated its revenue and deferred revenue in connection with certain parts of iQIYI’s business, inflated its expenses and the purchase prices of certain assets to conceal revenue inflation, and provided misleading financial statements of cash flows by adopting an incorrect accounting method. Following the publication of the Wolfpack Report, the SEC requested iQIYI to produce certain financial, operating, and other documents and records primarily relate to the allegations in the Wolfpack Report. In particular, the SEC requested that iQIYI voluntarily provide it with documents and

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information relating to, among other things, iQIYI’s organizational charts, accounting policies, and financial books and records since 2018, as well as documents relating to iQIYI’s acquisition or investments in certain entities mentioned in the Wolfpack Report and the valuation of those entities at the time of those transactions. Shortly after the publication of the Wolfpack Report, iQIYI engaged professional advisers to conduct an internal review into certain of the key allegations in the Wolfpack Report and to report their findings to its audit committee. These professional advisers examined iQIYI’s books and records and undertook testing procedures that, in their judgment, were necessary and appropriate to evaluating the key allegations in the Wolfpack Report, including accounting policy analysis, data analytics on whether iQIYI manufactured orders and inflated revenues and/or expenses. On October 5, 2020, iQIYI publicly disclosed that the internal review within the agreed scope has been substantially completed and did not uncover any evidence that would substantiate the allegations. The SEC has also sought the production of certain documents and records from iQIYI related to such internal review and other related information. iQIYI is cooperating with the SEC. iQIYI has voluntarily and publicly disclosed the SEC’s request for information, and, through its legal counsel, it has been providing the SEC with requested documents and information. We are unable to predict the timing, outcome, or consequences of the SEC investigation of iQIYI, or from the SEC’s review of the documents and records requested from iQIYI. iQIYI has not received further enquiry from the SEC since October 2, 2020.

Furthermore, starting in April 2020, iQIYI and certain of its current and former officers and directors were named as defendants in four federal putative securities class actions alleging that they made material misstatements and omissions in documents filed with the SEC regarding certain of the key allegations contained in the Wolfpack Report. On June 15, 2020, plaintiffs in one of these actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York voluntarily dismissed their complaint. In May 2021, the remaining three actions were consolidated under the caption In re iQIYI, Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 1:20-CV-01830 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York), and in June 2021, lead plaintiffs filed the operative amended complaint, which also names us and Robin Yanhong Li as defendants. Plaintiffs allege, in sum and substance, that iQIYI’s disclosures materially misled investors by: (i) overstating the number of iQIYI’s daily active users; (ii) overstating deferred revenue; (iii) overstating membership services revenue; (iv) overstating the amounts paid to acquire an equity interest in Xin’ai Sports; and (v) improperly recording as deferred revenue and revenue the non-cash portion of the purchase price paid, in the form of content and services, iQIYI purportedly will and has provided to Xin’ai Sports in exchange for its equity stake. Plaintiffs allege that these false and misleading statements artificially inflated the value of iQIYI’s securities and constituted violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. This case remains in its preliminary stages, and we cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of this federal action. For similar reasons, there is not sufficient information to estimate the aggregate amount of monetary damages sought at this time, and plaintiffs have also not yet alleged the amount of monetary damages being sought. We and iQIYI intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these claims, including by arguing that Plaintiffs have failed to state any claim as a matter of law. Based on the internal review overseen by iQIYI’s independent audit committee that had substantially been completed and which did not uncover any evidence that would substantiate the Wolfpack allegations, iQIYI believes that the Wolfpack allegations are without merit.

Starting in August 2020, we and certain of our current officers were named as defendants in two federal putative securities class actions alleging that defendants made material misstatements and omissions in documents filed with the SEC regarding certain of the key allegations contained in the Wolfpack Report. Both cases allege claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and remain in their preliminary stages. A motion to consolidate these two actions is currently pending before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and these actions otherwise remain in their preliminary stages.

Unrelated to the Wolfpack Report, we and certain of our current officers were also named as defendants in a federal putative securities class action alleging that defendants made material misstatements and omissions in documents filed with the SEC relating to contents on our platform. In this lawsuit, filed in or about April 2020, plaintiffs allege, in sum and substance, that the Company’s disclosures were materially false or misleading as

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they misrepresented Baidu’s ability to monitor and filter illicit or improper content on its platform, and failed to disclose alleged investigations and violations of PRC regulatory requirements relating to the monitoring or filtering of illicit or improper content online. Plaintiffs allege that these false and misleading statements constituted violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. In April 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted defendants’ motion to dismiss in its entirety, and in May 2021, plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed this action in its entirety with prejudice.

Because all of the ongoing securities class actions against iQIYI or Baidu are in their preliminary stages, the parties have not yet requested nor produced any discovery or admissible evidence to support or refute plaintiffs’ allegations. Similarly, except for the federal securities class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, which was dismissed with prejudice in May 2021, no court has yet ruled on whether the plaintiffs have sufficiently stated a claim to relief under the relevant federal securities laws. We cannot predict the timing, outcome or consequences of these class actions, and there is no basis to conclude at this point whether such actions will be successful or whether we will be subject to any damages, let alone how much.

We and iQIYI will have to defend against the ongoing putative securities class action lawsuits, as applicable, including any appeals of such lawsuits should our or iQIYI’s initial defense be unsuccessful. We are currently unable to estimate the possible outcome or loss or possible range of loss, if any, associated with the resolution of these lawsuits. In the event that our or iQIYI’s initial defense of these lawsuits is unsuccessful, we cannot assure you that we or iQIYI will prevail in any appeal. Any adverse outcome of these cases, including any plaintiff’s appeal of a judgment in these lawsuits, could have a material adverse effect on our or iQIYI’s business, financial condition, results of operation, cash flows, and reputation. Similarly, we are currently unable to predict the timing, outcome, or consequences of the SEC investigation of iQIYI, or from the SEC’s review of the documents and records requested from iQIYI. The litigation or SEC investigation process may utilize a significant portion of our or iQIYI’s resources and divert management’s attention from the day-to-day operations, all of which could harm our business.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds (after underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated net offering expenses) from the sale of the Notes will be approximately US$992 million. We plan to use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes, including repayment of certain existing indebtedness. As described below, we plan to use an equivalent amount of the net proceeds from the Sustainability Notes to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, one or more of our new or existing Eligible Projects, pursuant to our Sustainable Finance Framework, or the Framework. Refinancing of Eligible Projects will have a look-back period of no longer than 24 months from the time of issuance. We intend to fully allocating the net proceeds of each Sustainable Finance Transactions, or SFT, on a best effort basis within 36 months of issuance.

Eligible Projects

The Eligible Projects means projects that fall within the categories stated below.

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Project Evaluation and Selection

We have established a Sustainable Financing Working Group to assess and select Eligible Projects based on the eligibility criteria outlined in the Framework’s “Use of Proceeds” section, to ensure alignment with the Framework. The group constitutes representatives from the Corporate Social Responsibility, Finance, Treasury and Investor Relations departments. It’s overseen by our ESG committee.

The Sustainable Financing Working Group will be responsible for assessment and selection of Eligible Projects. In addition, all Eligible Projects’ allocated funding from the issuance proceeds will follow an internal process that includes final review and approval by CFO. Baidu also applies risk management measures in its capital allocation decisions which are supported by a company-wide planning, reporting and controlling structure.

To the extent expenditures related to Eligible Projects are at the subsidiary level, amounts to be allocated will be adjusted accordingly to our pro-rata equity ownership in the relevant subsidiary or joint venture company.

Management of Proceeds

We intend to allocate the net proceeds or an amount equal to the net proceeds from each SFT to Eligible Projects, selected in accordance with the use of proceeds criteria and evaluation and selection process presented above. These projects can be new construction, existing projects, and can also include refurbishments and refinancing of existing projects.

To ensure an amount equal to the net proceeds is allocated in accordance with this Framework, our Sustainable Financing Working Group will track investments in Eligible Projects funded, acquired or developed within the period commencing two years before the issuance of the applicable SFT and ending on the maturity date of such transactions.

We will strive, over time, to achieve a level of allocation for the Eligible Project Portfolio which matches or exceeds the balance of net proceeds from our outstanding SFTs. Additional Eligible Projects will be added to our Eligible Project Portfolio to the extent required to ensure that the net proceeds from the SFTs and any such future financings will be allocated to Eligible Projects.

In the case of divestment or if a project no longer meets the Eligible Project eligibility criteria listed above, We intend to reallocate the funds to one or more other Eligible Projects.

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We will hold or invest, at our discretion, any unallocated net proceeds in cash equivalent, deposits, structured deposits, money market funds and other high liquidity products in accordance with our corporate treasury policy.

Reporting

We intend to make public and keep readily available a Sustainable Financing Report of the net proceeds allocation from each SFT within one year of the closing of such transaction and to be updated annually until all the net proceeds have been fully allocated.

Allocation Reporting: We will provide below information for the net proceeds of all SFT during the period:

Impact Reporting: Where possible, we will report on the environmental and social (where relevant) impacts resulting from Eligible Projects.

Both the allocation reporting and impact reporting will be made available via Baidu’s Corporate ESG website: esg.baidu.com.

External Review

Second-Party Opinion (pre-issuance). This Framework has been reviewed by an independent consultant who has issued a “second party opinion”. The “second party opinion” and this Framework will be made available to investors via our Corporate ESG website: esg.baidu.com.

Verification (post-issuance). We intend to request, one year after issuance, after full allocation of the net proceeds from SFT or following any material events related to Eligible Projects, assurance by our external auditor or other third party of a management statement on the allocation of the net proceeds to Eligible Projects.

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REGULATION

Additional information about the principal laws and regulations relevant to our business and operations is included in the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, including our annual report on Form 20-F for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2021. See “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus.

Regulations on Information Security

The National People’s Congress has enacted legislation that prohibits use of the internet that breaches the public security, disseminates socially destabilizing content or leaks state secrets. Breach of public security includes breach of national security and infringement on legal rights and interests of the state, society or citizens. Socially destabilizing content includes any content that incites defiance or violations of PRC laws or regulations or subversion of the PRC government or its political system, spreads socially disruptive rumors or involves cult activities, superstition, obscenities, pornography, gambling or violence. State secrets are defined broadly to include information concerning PRC national defense, state affairs and other matters as determined by the PRC authorities.

Pursuant to applicable regulations, ICP operators must complete mandatory security filing procedures and regularly update information security and monitoring systems for their websites with local public security authorities, and must also report any public dissemination of prohibited content.

In December 2015, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Anti-Terrorism Law of the PRC, or the Anti-Terrorism Law, which took effect on January 1, 2016 and was amended on April 27, 2018. According to the Anti-Terrorism Law, telecommunication service operators or internet service providers shall (i) carry out pertinent anti-terrorism publicity and education to society; (ii) provide technical interfaces, decryption and other technical support and assistance for the competent departments to prevent and investigate terrorist activities; (iii) implement network security and information monitoring systems as well as safety and technical prevention measures to avoid the dissemination of terrorism information, delete the terrorism information, immediately halt its dissemination, keep relevant records and report to the competent departments once the terrorism information is discovered; and (iv) examine customer identities before providing services. Any violation of the Anti-Terrorism Law may result in severe penalties, including substantial fines.

In November 2016, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress promulgated the Cyber Security Law of the PRC, or the Cyber Security Law, which took effect on June 1, 2017. In accordance with the Cyber Security Law, network operators must comply with applicable laws and regulations and fulfill their obligations to safeguard network security in conducting business and providing services. Network service providers must take technical and other necessary measures as required by laws, regulations and mandatory requirements to safeguard the operation of networks, respond to network security effectively, prevent illegal and criminal activities, and maintain the integrity, confidentiality and usability of network data. On May 2, 2017, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a trial version of the Measures for the Security Review of Network Products and Services (Trial), which took effect on June 1, 2017, to provide for more detailed rules regarding cybersecurity review requirements. On April 29, 2021, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress issued a Second Draft for review of the Personal Information Protection Law, or the Draft Personal Information Protection Law, which integrates the scattered rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection.

For the further purposes of regulating data processing activities, safeguarding data security, promoting data development and utilization, protecting the lawful rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and maintaining national sovereignty, security, and development interests, on June 10, 2021, Standing Committee of the PRC National People’s Congress published the Data Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, which will take effect on September 1, 2021. The Data Security Law requires data processing, which includes the

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collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, publication of data, to be conducted in a legitimate and proper manner. The Data Security Law provides for data security and privacy obligations on entities and individuals carrying out data activities. The Data Security Law also introduces a data classification and hierarchical protection system based on the importance of data in economic and social development, and the degree of harm it may cause to national security, public interests, or legitimate rights and interests of individuals or organizations if such data are tampered with, destroyed, leaked, illegally acquired or illegally used. The appropriate level of protection measures is required to be taken for each respective category of data. For example, a processor of important data is required to designate the personnel and the management body responsible for data security, carry out risk assessments of its data processing activities and file the risk assessment reports with the competent authorities. State core data, i.e. data having a bearing on national security, the lifelines of national economy, people’s key livelihood and major public interests, shall be subject to stricter management system. Moreover, the Data Security Law provides a national security review procedure for those data activities which affect or may affect national security and imposes export restrictions on certain data and information. In addition, the Data Security Law also provides that any organization or individual within the territory of the PRC shall not provide any foreign judicial body and law enforcement body with any data without the approval of the competent PRC governmental authorities. As the Data Security Law was recently promulgated and has not yet taken effect, we may be required to make further adjustments to our business practices to comply with this law, as well as any adjustments that may be required by the ultimate Personal Information Protection Law.

On July 6, 2021, certain PRC regulatory authorities issued Opinions on Strictly Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities, which, among others, provides for improving relevant laws and regulations on data security, cross-border data transmission, and confidential information management. It provided that efforts will be made to revise the regulations on strengthening the confidentiality and file management relating to the offering and listing of securities overseas, to implement the responsibility on information security of overseas listed companies, and to strengthen the standardized management of cross-border information provision mechanisms and procedures.

On July 10, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued the Measures for Cybersecurity Review (Revision Daft for Comments), or the Draft Measures, which will replace the current Measures for Cybersecurity Review after it is adopted and becomes effective. The scope of review under the Draft Measures extends to critical information infrastructure operators that intend to purchase internet products and services and data processing operators engaging in data processing activities, which affect or may affect national security. According to Article 6 of the Draft Measures, operators who possess personal information of over a million users shall apply to the Cybersecurity Review Office for cybersecurity reviews before listing in a foreign country. Besides, the Draft Measures also provides that if the relevant authorities consider that certain network products and services, data processing activities and listings in foreign countries affect or may affect national security, the authorities may initiate a cybersecurity review even if the operators do not have an obligation to report for a cybersecurity review under such circumstances. The Draft Measures also elaborated the factors to be considered when assessing the national security risks of the relevant activities, including among others, risks of core data, important data or a large amount of personal information being stolen, leaked, destroyed, and illegally used or exited the country and risks of critical information infrastructure, core data, important data or a large amount of personal information data being affected, controlled and maliciously used by foreign governments after a foreign listing.

In addition, the State Secrecy Bureau has issued provisions authorizing the blocking of access to any website it deems to be leaking state secrets or failing to comply with the relevant legislation regarding the protection of state secrets during online information distribution. Specifically, internet companies in the PRC with bulletin boards, chat rooms or similar services must apply for specific approval prior to operating such services.

Furthermore, the Provisions on Technological Measures for Internet Security Protection, promulgated by the Ministry of Public Security and became effective in March 2006, require all ICP operators to keep records of

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certain information about its users (including user registration information, log-in and log-out time, IP address, content and time of posts by users) for at least 60 days and submit the above information as required by laws and regulations. The Decision on Strengthening Network Information Protection, or the Network Information Protection Decision, which was promulgated by the PRC National People’s Congress in December 2012, states that ICP operators must request identity information from users when ICP operators provide information publication services to the users. If ICP operators come across prohibited information, they must immediately cease the transmission of such information, delete the information, keep relevant records, and report to relevant government authorities.

On October 21, 2019, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the PRC jointly issued the Interpretations on Certain Issues Regarding the Applicable of Law in the Handling of Criminal Case Involving Illegal Use of Information Networks and Assisting Committing Internet Crimes, which came into effect on November 1, 2019, and further clarifies the meaning of Internet service provider and the severe situations of the relevant crimes.

Regulations on Internet Privacy

The PRC Constitution states that PRC law protects the freedom and privacy of communications of citizens and prohibits infringement of these rights. In recent years, PRC government authorities have enacted legislation on internet use to protect personal information from any unauthorized disclosure. The Network Information Protection Decision provides that electronic information that identifies a citizen or involves privacy of any citizen is protected by law and must not be unlawfully collected or provided to others. ICP operators collecting or using personal electronic information of citizens must specify the purposes, manners and scopes of information collection and uses, obtain consent of the relevant citizens, and keep the collected personal information confidential. ICP operators are prohibited from disclosing, tampering with, damaging, selling or illegally providing others with, collected personal information. ICP operators are required to take technical and other measures to prevent the collected personal information from any unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss. The Administrative Measures on Internet Information Services prohibit an ICP operator from insulting or slandering a third party or infringing upon the lawful rights and interests of a third party. According to the Provisions on Protection of Personal Information of Telecommunication and Internet Users, which was promulgated by MIIT and became effective in September 2013, telecommunication business operators and ICP operators are responsible for the security of the personal information of users they collect or use in the course of their provision of services. Without obtaining the consent from the users, telecommunication business operators and ICP operators may not collect or use the users’ personal information. The personal information collected or used in the course of provision of services by the telecommunication business operators or ICP operators must be kept in strict confidence, and may not be divulged, tampered with or damaged, and may not be sold or illegally provided to others. The ICP operators are required to take certain measures to prevent any divulgence of, damage to, tampering with or loss of users’ personal information. In accordance with the Cyber Security Law, network operators are required to collect and use personal information in compliance with the principles of legitimacy, properness and necessity, and strictly within the scope of authorization by the subject of personal information unless otherwise prescribed by laws or regulations. In the event of any unauthorized disclosure, damage or loss of collected personal information, network operators must take immediate remedial measures, notify the affected users and report the incidents to the relevant authorities in a timely manner. If any user knows that a network operator illegally collects and uses his or her personal information in violation of laws, regulations or any agreement with the user, or the collected and stored personal information is inaccurate or wrong, the user has the right to request the network operator to delete or correct the relevant collected personal information.

The relevant telecommunications authorities are further authorized to order ICP operators to rectify unauthorized disclosure. ICP operators are subject to legal liability, including warnings, fines, confiscation of illegal gains, revocation of licenses or filings, closing of the relevant websites, administrative punishment, criminal liabilities, or civil liabilities, if they violate relevant provisions on internet privacy. Pursuant to the Ninth Amendment to the Criminal Law issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in August

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2015 and becoming effective in November 2015, the standards of crime of infringing citizens’ personal information were amended accordingly and the criminal culpability of unlawful collection, transaction, and provision of personal information has been reinforced. In addition, any ICP provider that fails to fulfill the obligations related to internet information security administration as required by applicable laws and refuses to rectify upon orders, will be subject to criminal liability for (i) any dissemination of illegal information in large scale; (ii) any severe effect due to the leakage of the client’s information; (iii) any serious loss of evidence of criminal activities; or (iv) other severe situations, and any individual or entity that (x) sells or provides personal information to others unlawfully, or (y) steals or illegally obtains any personal information, will be subject to criminal liability in severe situations. In addition, the Interpretations of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the PRC on Several Issues Concerning the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases of Infringing Personal Information, effective in June 2017, have clarified certain standards for the conviction and sentencing in relation to personal information infringement. The PRC government has the power and authority to order ICP operators to turn over personal information if an internet user posts any prohibited content or engages in illegal activities on the internet. The Civil Code further provides in a stand-alone chapter of right of personality and reiterate that the personal information of a natural person shall be protected by the law. Any organization or individual shall legitimately obtain such personal information of others in due course on a need-to-know basis and ensure the safety and privacy of such information, and refrain from excessively handling or using such information.

With respect to the security of information collected and used by mobile apps, pursuant to the Announcement of Conducting Special Supervision against the Illegal Collection and Use of Personal Information by Apps, which was issued on January 23, 2019, app operators should collect and use personal information in compliance with the Cyber Security Law and should be responsible for the security of personal information obtained from users and take effective measures to strengthen the personal information protection. Furthermore, app operators should not force their users to make authorization by means of bundling, suspending installation or in other default forms and should not collect personal information in violation of laws, regulations or breach of user agreements. Such regulatory requirements were emphasized by the Notice on the Special Rectification of Apps Infringing upon User’s Personal Rights and Interests, which was issued by MIIT on October 31, 2019. On November 28, 2019, the CAC, the MIIT, the Ministry of Public Security and the SAMR jointly issued the Methods of Identifying Illegal Acts of Apps to Collect and Use Personal Information. This regulation further illustrates certain commonly-seen illegal practices of apps operators in terms of personal information protection, including “failure to publicize rules for collecting and using personal information”, “failure to expressly state the purpose, manner and scope of collecting and using personal information”, “collection and use of personal information without consent of users of such App”, “collecting personal information irrelevant to the services provided by such app in violation of the principle of necessity”, “provision of personal information to others without users’ consent”, “failure to provide the function of deleting or correcting personal information as required by laws” and “failure to publish information such as methods for complaints and reporting”. Among others, any of the following acts of an app operator will constitute “collection and use of personal information without consent of users”: (i) collecting an user’s personal information or activating the permission for collecting any user’s personal information without obtaining such user’s consent; (ii) collecting personal information or activating the permission for collecting the personal information of any user who explicitly refuses such collection, or repeatedly seeking for user’s consent such that the user’s normal use of such app is disturbed; (iii) any user’s personal information which has been actually collected by the app operator or the permission for collecting any user’s personal information activated by the app operator is beyond the scope of personal information which such user authorizes such app operator to collect; (iv) seeking for any user’s consent in a non-explicit manner; (v) modifying any user’s settings for activating the permission for collecting any personal information without such user’s consent; (vi) using users’ personal information and any algorithms to directionally push any information, without providing the option of non-directed pushing such information; (vii) misleading users to permit collecting their personal information or activating the permission for collecting such users’ personal information by improper methods such as fraud and deception; (viii) failing to provide users with the means and methods to withdraw their permission of collecting personal information; and (ix) collecting

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and using personal information in violation of the rules for collecting and using personal information promulgated by such app operator.

On August 22, 2019, the CAC promulgated the Children Information Protection Provisions, which took effect on October 1, 2019, requiring that before collecting, using, transferring or disclosing the personal information of a child, the Internet service operator should inform the child’s guardians in a noticeable and clear manner and obtain their consents. Meanwhile, Internet service operators should take measures like encryption when storing children’s personal information.

In October 2020, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress issued the Draft Personal Information Protection Law for public comments. In April 2021, the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress issued a Second Draft for review of the Personal Information Protection Law, or the Draft Personal Information Protection Law, for public comments. The Draft Personal Information Protection Law integrates provisions from several rules with respect to personal information rights and privacy protection. According to the Draft Personal Information Protection Law, personal information refers to information related to identified or identifiable natural persons which is recorded by electronic or other means (excluding the anonymized information). The Draft Personal Information Protection Law provides the circumstances under which a personal information processor could process personal information, such as where the consent of the individual concerned is obtained and where it is necessary for the conclusion or performance of a contract to which such individual is a party to such contract. It also stipulates certain specific provisions with respect to the obligations of a personal information processor. In addition, it imposes further obligations on a personal information processor that provides for basic internet platform services, has large amount of users, has complicated business activities, including formulating of an independent institution mainly comprising of outside members to supervise personal information processing activities, termination of provision of services for product or service providers on the platform whose personal information processing activities are in material violation of laws and regulations, and issuing personal information protection social responsibilities reports regularly. As of the date of this document, the Draft Personal Information Protection Law has not come into effect.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated total capitalization as of June 30, 2021 on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the issuance of Notes, before deducting the underwriting discounts, commission, and estimated expenses in this offering as if the Notes were issued on that day.

This table should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in our 2020 Form 20-F, which is incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, and our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the six months ended June 30, 2021 included in this prospectus supplement.

Notes:

As of June 30, 2021, on a consolidated basis, all of our debt outstanding was unsecured except for RMB3.9 billion (US$611 million) secured loans mainly borrowed by iQIYI.

After the completion of this offering, we may incur additional debt in the regular course of our business, which may materially affect our total debt as provided in the table above.

Except as disclosed herein, there have been no material changes in the Company’s total capitalization since June 30, 2021.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following description is only a summary of the material terms of the Notes and does not purport to be complete. The Notes will be issued under and governed by the indenture dated as of November 28, 2012, as supplemented by the tenth supplemental indenture to be dated as of August 23, 2021 (as so supplemented, the “indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York with limited liability, as trustee (the “trustee”). The following description of certain material terms of the Notes is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture, including definitions of specified terms used in the indenture, and to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a beneficial holder of the Notes. A form of the indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part. You may also request copies of the indenture from us at our address set forth under “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus. This summary supplements the description of the debt securities in the accompanying prospectus and, to the extent it is inconsistent, replaces the description in the accompanying prospectus.

In this description, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Baidu, Inc. only and do not include any of our Subsidiaries or Consolidated Affiliated Entities, unless the context otherwise requires.

General

The 2027 Notes and the 2031 Notes will each constitute a series of securities under the indenture. The 2027 Notes will initially be issued in an aggregate principal amount of US$300,000,000 and will mature on, February 23, 2027, and the 2031 Notes will initially be issued in an aggregate principal amount of US$700,000,000 and will mature on August 23, 2031, unless the 2027 Notes or the 2031 Notes, as the case may be, are redeemed prior to their maturity pursuant to the indenture and the terms thereof. The 2027 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 1.625% per annum and the 2031 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 2.375% per annum. Interest on the Notes will accrue from August 23, 2021 and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on August 23 and February 23 of each year, beginning on February 23, 2022, to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding August 8 and February 8, respectively, which we refer to as the record dates. At maturity, the Notes are payable at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. In any case where the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes is due on a date that is not a Business Day (as defined under the heading “Optional Redemption” below), then payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes, as the case may be, shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such date that is not a Business Day to such next succeeding Business Day. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes shall be denominated in minimum principal amounts of US$200,000 and in integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes will be issued in global registered form.

Ranking

The Notes will be our senior unsecured obligations issued under the indenture. The Notes will rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future obligations expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and rank at least equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations (subject to any priority rights pursuant to applicable law). However, the Notes will be effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured obligations, to the extent of the value of the assets serving as security therefor, and be structurally subordinated to all existing and future obligations and other liabilities of our Controlled Entities.

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Issuance of Additional Notes

We may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional Notes having the same terms and conditions as any series of the Notes in all respects (or in all respects except for the issue date, the issue price and the first payment of interest). Additional Notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with the previously outstanding Notes of the relevant series to constitute a single series of the Notes of such series. We will not issue any additional Notes with the same CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying number as any Notes offered hereby unless the additional Notes are fungible with the outstanding Notes of the relevant series for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Optional Redemption

We may, upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice to holders of the relevant series of the Notes (which notice shall be irrevocable) and the trustee, redeem the 2027 Notes at any time prior to January 23, 2027, and the 2031 Notes at any time prior to May 23, 2031, in each case, in whole or in part, at a redemption amount equal to the greater of:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date; provided that the principal amount of a Note remaining outstanding after redemption in part shall be US$200,000 or an integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

In addition, we may, upon giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice to holders of the relevant series of the Notes (which notice shall be irrevocable) and the trustee, redeem the 2027 Notes at any time from or after January 23, 2027, and the 2031 Notes at any time from or after May 23, 2031, in each case, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes to be redeemed, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in The City of New York, Hong Kong or Beijing are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the Notes of the applicable series to be redeemed.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if we obtain fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all quotations obtained.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by us.

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“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of any three investment banks of recognized standing that is a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States, selected by us in good faith.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by us, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to us by such Reference Treasury Dealer as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth Business Day before such redemption date.

“Treasury Yield” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the fifth Business Day before such redemption date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

The notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the trustee and each holder of record of the Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the Notes will state, among other things, the amount of Notes to be redeemed, the redemption date, the manner in which the redemption price will be calculated and the place or places that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of Notes to be redeemed. Unless we default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any Notes that have been called for redemption at the redemption date. If less than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed, the Notes to be redeemed will be selected (i) if listed on a national securities exchange and/or held through the clearing systems then in compliance with the requirements of such national securities exchange and/or the clearing system, and (ii) if the Notes are not listed on any securities exchange and are not held through the clearing systems then pro rata, by lot or in such other manner as the trustee deems appropriate in its sole discretion, unless otherwise required by law.

Repurchase Upon Triggering Event

If a Triggering Event occurs, unless we have exercised our right to redeem the Notes of the relevant series as described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Tax Redemption” in the accompanying prospectus or under the heading “Optional Redemption” above, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part (equal to US$200,000 or multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof), of each holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Triggering Event Offer”) on the terms set forth in the indenture and the Notes of the relevant series. In the Triggering Event Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but not including, the date of purchase (the “Triggering Event Payment”).

Within 30 days following a Triggering Event, we will be required to mail a notice to holders of the Notes, with a copy to the trustee, describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Triggering Event Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures required by the Notes of the relevant series and described in such notice.

On the Triggering Event Payment Date, we will be required, to the extent lawful, to:

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The relevant paying agent will be required to promptly mail, to each holder who properly tendered Notes, the purchase price for such Notes properly tendered, and the trustee will be required to promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each such holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a principal amount of US$200,000 or a multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

We will not be required to make a Triggering Event Offer upon a Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and such third party purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In the event that such third party terminates or defaults its offer, we will be required to make a Triggering Event Offer treating the date of such termination or default as though it were the date of the Triggering Event.

We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, to the extent applicable, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Triggering Event. To the extent that the provision of any such securities laws or regulations conflicts with the Triggering Event Offer provisions of the Notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Triggering Event Offer provisions of the Notes by virtue of any such conflict.

There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient funds available at the time of a Triggering Event to consummate a Triggering Event Offer for all Notes then outstanding (or all Notes properly tendered by the holders of such Notes) and pay the Triggering Event Payment. We may also be prohibited by terms of other indebtedness or agreements from repurchasing the Notes upon a Triggering Event, which would require us to repay the relevant indebtedness or terminate the relevant agreement before we can proceed with a Triggering Event Offer, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to effect such repayment or termination.

The trustee shall not be required to take any steps to ascertain whether a Triggering Event or any event which could lead to a Triggering Event has occurred and shall not be responsible or liable to any person for any failure to do so.

“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Shares and limited liability or partnership interests (whether general or limited), but excluding any debt securities convertible or exchangeable into such equity.

“Consolidated Affiliated Entity” of any Person means any corporation, association or other entity which is or is required to be consolidated with such Person under Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall (including any changes, amendments or supplements thereto) or, if such Person prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles other than U.S. GAAP, the equivalent of Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 810-10, Consolidation: Overall under such accounting principles. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity will refer to a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of ours.

“Controlled Entity” of any Person means a Subsidiary or a Consolidated Affiliated Entity of such Person. “Group” means the Company and our Controlled Entities.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, undertaking, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, trust, state, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity (in each case whether or not being a separate legal entity).

“Preferred Shares,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as to the payment of dividends upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

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“Subsidiary” of any Person means (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (b) any partnership, joint venture limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, is, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), voting at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary will refer to a Subsidiary of the Company.

“Triggering Event” means (A) any change in or amendment to the laws, regulations and rules of the PRC or the official interpretation or official application thereof (“Change in Law”) that results in (x) the Group (as in existence immediately subsequent to such Change in Law), as a whole, being legally prohibited from operating substantially all of the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) as of the last date of the period described in our consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter and (y) we being unable to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law) in the same manner as reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter and (B) we have not furnished to the trustee, prior to the date that is twelve months after the date of the Change in Law, an opinion from an independent financial advisor or an independent legal counsel stating either (1) we are able to continue to derive substantially all of the economic benefits from the business operations conducted by the Group (as in existence immediately prior to such Change in Law), taken as a whole, as reflected in our consolidated financial statements for the most recent fiscal quarter (including after giving effect to any corporate restructuring or reorganization plan of ours) or (2) such Change in Law would not materially adversely affect our ability to make principal and interest payments on the Notes when due.

The definition of Triggering Event includes a phrase relating to operating “substantially all” or deriving “substantially all” of the economic benefits from, the business operations conducted by the Group. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the applicability of the requirement that we offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Triggering Event may be uncertain.

Payment of Additional Amounts

All payments of principal, premium and interest made by us in respect of the Notes of each series will be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (“Taxes”) imposed or levied by or within the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the PRC or any jurisdiction where we are otherwise considered by a taxing authority to be a resident for tax purposes (in each case, including any political subdivision or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax) (the “Relevant Jurisdiction”), unless such withholding or deduction of such Taxes is required by law. If we are required to make such withholding or deduction, we will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as will result in receipt by each holder of any Note of such amounts as would have been received by such holder had no such withholding or deduction of such Taxes been required, except that no such Additional Amounts shall be payable:

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In the event that any withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes is required and Additional Amounts are payable with respect thereto, at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes of any series, we will furnish to the trustee and the paying agent, if other than the trustee, an officers’ certificate specifying the amount required to be withheld or deducted on such payments to such holders, certifying that we shall pay such amounts required to be withheld to the appropriate governmental authority and certifying to the fact that the Additional Amounts will be payable and the amounts so payable to each holder, and that we will pay to the trustee or such paying agent the Additional Amounts required to be paid; provided that no such officers’ certificate will be required prior to any date of payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes of such series if there has been no change with respect to the matters set forth in a prior officers’ certificate. The trustee and each paying agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the fact that any officers’ certificate contemplated by this paragraph has not been furnished as evidence of the fact that no withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes is required. We covenant to indemnify the trustee and any paying agent for and to hold them harmless against any loss, liability or properly incurred expense without fraudulent activity, gross negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any such officers’ certificate furnished pursuant to this paragraph or on the fact that any officers’ certificate contemplated by this paragraph has not been furnished.

Whenever there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of any Note, such mention shall be deemed to include the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in the indenture,

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to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the indenture.

The foregoing provisions shall apply in the same manner with respect to the jurisdiction in which any successor Person to us is organized or resident for tax purposes or any authority therein or thereof having the power to tax (a “Successor Jurisdiction”), substituting such Successor Jurisdiction for the Relevant Jurisdiction.

Our obligation to make payments of Additional Amounts under the terms and conditions described above will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of the indenture.

Modification and Waiver

The provisions of the indenture relating to modification and waiver, which are described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver” in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the Notes, with the additional provisions that:

Events of Default

The provisions of the indenture relating to Events of Default, which are described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the Notes, provided that they shall be modified, principally to delete references to “Principal Controlled Entities” in clauses (v) and (vi) in the first paragraph and the second sentence of the third paragraph under such heading, such that the description of such provisions with respect to the Notes is as follows:

“Under the terms of the indenture, each of the following constitutes an Event of Default for each series of the Notes:

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However, a default under clause (iv) of the preceding paragraph will not constitute an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding provide written notice to us of the default and we do not cure such default within the time specified in clause (iv) of the preceding paragraph after receipt of such notice.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clauses (vii) and (viii) above) shall occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding by written notice as provided in the indenture may, and the trustee, upon instructions from holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding and subject to receipt of pre-funding, security and/or indemnity to its satisfaction, shall declare the unpaid principal amount of such debt securities and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon (and any Additional Amount payable in respect thereof) to be due and payable immediately upon receipt of such notice. If an Event of Default in clause (v) above shall occur, the declaration of acceleration of the debt securities shall be automatically annulled if the default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (v) shall be remedied or cured by us or waived by the holders of the relevant indebtedness within 30 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if (1) the annulment of the acceleration of the debt securities of that series would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest on the debt securities of that series that became due solely because of the acceleration of the debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived. If an Event of Default in clauses (vii) or (viii) above shall occur, the unpaid principal amount of all the debt securities then outstanding and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon will automatically, and without any declaration or other action by the trustee or any holder of such debt securities, become immediately due and payable. After a declaration of acceleration but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding may, under certain circumstances, waive all past defaults and rescind and annul such acceleration if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities that became due solely because of the acceleration of such debt securities, have been cured or waived. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “—Modification and Waiver.”

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by the indenture or enforce any provisions of the indenture or the debt securities at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless the requisite number of holders shall have instructed the trustee in writing and offered to the trustee pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby. Subject to certain provisions, including those requiring pre-funding, security and/or indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or the debt securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding have made written request to the trustee to institute such proceeding, (iii) such holder or holders have offered pre-funding, security and/or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee and (iv) the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding a written direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the

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enforcement of the right to receive payment of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.”

Limitation on Liens

So long as any Note remains outstanding, we will not create or have outstanding, and we will ensure that none of our Principal Controlled Entities will create or have outstanding, any Lien upon the whole or any part of their respective present or future undertaking, assets or revenues (including any uncalled capital) securing any Relevant Indebtedness or create or have outstanding any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any Relevant Indebtedness either of us or of any of our Principal Controlled Entities, without (i) at the same time or prior thereto securing or guaranteeing the Notes equally and ratably therewith or (ii) providing such other security or guarantee for the Notes as shall be approved by an act of the holders of each series of the Notes holding at least a majority of the principal amount of that series of the Notes then outstanding.

The foregoing restriction will not apply to:

“Lien” means any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other form of encumbrance or security interest.

“Non-recourse Obligation” means indebtedness or other obligations substantially related to (1) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by us or any of our Controlled Entities or (2) the financing of a project involving the purchase, development, improvement or expansion of properties of ours or any of our Controlled Entities, as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to us or any of our Controlled Entities of ours or to our or any such Controlled Entity’s assets other than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).

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“Relevant Indebtedness” means any indebtedness which is in the form of, or represented or evidenced by, bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or other securities which for the time being are, or are intended to be or are commonly, quoted, listed or dealt in or traded on any stock exchange or over-the-counter or other securities market.

Certain Definitions

The definition of “Principal Controlled Entities,” which is included under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Certain Definitions” in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the Notes, provided that it has been modified, inter alia, to (i) to exclude certain listed Controlled Entities from such definition and (ii) to increase the revenue and net profit thresholds in the definition of Principal Controlled Entities from 5% to 10%, such that the description of such provisions with respect to the Notes is as follows:

“Principal Controlled Entities” at any time shall mean one of our Non-listed Controlled Entities

all as calculated by reference to the then latest audited financial statements (consolidated or, as the case may be, unconsolidated) of our Non-listed Controlled Entity and our then latest audited consolidated financial statements;

provided that, in relation to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above:

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An officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee certifying in good faith as to whether or not a Non-listed Controlled Entity is a Principal Controlled Entity shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.”

“Non-listed Controlled Entities” means the Controlled Entities other than (i) any Controlled Entities with shares of common stock or other common equity interests listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange; and (ii) any Subsidiaries or Consolidated Affiliated Entities of any Controlled Entity referred to in clause (i) of this definition.

NDRC Post-Issuance Filing

The Company will notify the trustee if it does not file or cause to be filed with the NDRC the requisite information and documents required to be filed with the NDRC within 10 PRC Business Days after the completion of the Notes issuance in accordance with the Circular on Promoting the Reform of the Administrative System on the Issuance by Enterprises of Foreign Debt Filings and Registrations (國家發展改革委關於推進企業發行外債備案登記制管理改革的通知 (發改外資[2015]2044号)) issued by the NDRC and which came into effect on September 14, 2015 and any implementation rules as issued by the NDRC as in effect at such time (the “Post-Issuance Filing”). Such notification to the trustee shall be made within 10 PRC Business Days after such failure to complete the Post-Issuance Filing.

The trustee shall have no obligation to monitor and ensure the completion of the NDRC Post-Issuance Filing on or before the deadline referred to above or to verify the accuracy, validity, and/or genuineness of any documents in relation to or in connection with the NDRC Post-Issuance Filing, and shall not be liable to the holders or any other person for not doing so.

“PRC Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in China are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The provisions of the indenture relating to legal defeasance and covenant defeasance, which are described under the heading “Description of Debt Securities—Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus, will apply to the Notes, and in addition, we may also exercise Covenant Defeasance with respect to our obligations under the indenture and the Notes that are described under the headings “—Repurchase Upon Triggering Event” and “—Limitation on Liens” above.

No Sinking Fund

The Notes will not be subject to, nor entitled to the benefit of, any sinking fund.

Book-Entry; Delivery and Form

Each series of the Notes will be represented by one or more global notes that will be deposited with and registered in the name of The Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee for the accounts of its

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participants, including Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”). We will not issue certificated Notes, except in the limited circumstances described below. Transfers of ownership interests in the global notes will be effected only through entries made on the books of DTC participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. You will not receive written confirmation from DTC of your purchase. The direct or indirect participants through whom you purchased the Notes should send you written confirmations providing details of your transactions, as well as periodic statements of your holdings. The direct and indirect participants are responsible for keeping accurate account of the holdings of their customers like you. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global notes.

You, as the beneficial owner of Notes, will not receive certificates representing ownership interests in the global notes, except in the following limited circumstances: (1) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be eligible under the indenture and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; (2) we determine that the Notes will no longer be represented by global notes and execute and deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate to such effect; or (3) an event of default with respect to the Notes will have occurred and be continuing and a holder requests us to issue a certificated note. These certificated Notes will be registered in such name or names as DTC will instruct the trustee and the agents. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in global notes.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner and holder of the global notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by the global notes for all purposes under the indenture relating to the Notes. Except as provided above, you, as the beneficial owner of interests in the global notes, will not be entitled to have Notes registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owner or holder thereof under the indenture. Accordingly, you, as the beneficial owner, must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if you are not a DTC participant, on the procedures of the DTC participants through which you own your interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Neither we, the trustee, nor any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in global notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests. DTC’s practice is to credit the accounts of DTC’s direct participants with payment in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial interest in a security as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on the payment date. The underwriters will initially designate the accounts to be credited. Beneficial owners may experience delays in receiving distributions on their Notes because distributions will initially be made to DTC and they must be transferred through the chain of intermediaries to the beneficial owner’s account. Payments by DTC participants to you will be the responsibility of the DTC participant and not of DTC, the trustee, any agent or us. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any agent will have no responsibility or liability for: any aspect of DTC’s records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Notes represented by a global securities certificate; any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its participants or the relationship between those participants and the owners of beneficial interests in a global securities certificate held through those participants; or the maintenance, supervision or review of any of DTC’s records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

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We have been informed that, under DTC’s existing practices, if we request any action of holders of senior notes, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security such as you desires to take any action which a holder of the Notes is entitled to take under the indenture, DTC would authorize the direct participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to take such action, and those direct participants and any indirect participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those direct and indirect participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

Clearstream and Euroclear have provided us with the following information:

Clearstream

Clearstream is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic securities markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream participants include underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Clearstream’s U.S. participants are limited to securities brokers and dealers and banks. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream participant either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to the Notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

Euroclear

Euroclear was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear performs various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interacts with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank SA/NV under contract with Euroclear plc, a U.K. corporation. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear operator, not Euroclear plc. Euroclear plc establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear participants. Euroclear participants include banks, including central banks, securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear participant, either directly or indirectly.

The Euroclear operator is a Belgian bank. As such it is regulated by the Belgian Banking and Finance Commission.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution

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of specific certificates to specific clearance accounts. The Euroclear operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear participants.

Distributions with respect to the Notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Euroclear has further advised us that investors who acquire, hold and transfer interests in the Notes by book-entry through accounts with the Euroclear operator or any other securities intermediary are subject to the laws and contractual provisions governing their relationship with their intermediary, as well as the laws and contractual provisions governing the relationship between such an intermediary and each other intermediary, if any, standing between themselves and the global securities certificates.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream participants and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream participants or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving Notes through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Because of time zone differences, credits of the Notes received through Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such Notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the Notes by or through a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of Notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be modified or discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee and the agent will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

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TAXATION

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the Notes under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence, or domicile.

Cayman Islands Taxation

The following is a discussion of certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.

Under existing Cayman Islands law, payments of interest and principal on the Notes will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of interest and principal to any holder of the Notes, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the Notes be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporate, or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax, or gift tax. No stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue of the Notes. An instrument of transfer in respect of a Note is stampable if executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands.

PRC Taxation

The following is a summary of certain PRC tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of Notes to non-resident enterprises and non-resident individuals. It is based upon applicable laws, rules, and regulations in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement, all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect). This discussion does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase, own, or dispose of the Notes and does not purport to deal with consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. Persons considering the purchase of Notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of Notes, including such possible consequences under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence, or domicile.

If we are considered a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, holders of Notes that are non-resident enterprises may be subject to PRC withholding tax on interest paid by us or PRC enterprise income tax on any gains realized from the transfer of Notes, if such income is considered to be derived from sources within China, at a rate of 10% (or lower rate if available under an applicable tax treaty), provided that such non-resident enterprise investor (i) has no establishment or premises in China, or (ii) has an establishment or premises in China but its income derived from the PRC has no real connection with such establishment or premises. Furthermore, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise and the relevant PRC tax authorities consider interest we pay on the Notes or any gains realized from the transfer of Notes to be income derived from sources within China, such interest earned by non-resident individuals may be subject to PRC withholding tax and such gain realized by non-resident individuals may be subject to PRC individual income tax, in each case at a rate of 20% (or lower rate if available under an applicable tax treaty). However, if we are treated as a PRC resident enterprise, it is unclear whether in practice non-resident investors would be able to obtain the benefits of tax treaties between China and their countries. In addition, if we are considered a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, interest payable by us to non-resident holders of the Notes may be subject to PRC value-added tax at a rate of 6% and related local levies, including educational surtax and urban maintenance and construction tax at a rate of up to 0.72%.

If we are not deemed a PRC resident enterprise, non-resident enterprise and non-resident individual holders of Notes will not be subject to PRC income tax on any payments of interest on, or gains from the transfer of, Notes.

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Hong Kong

The following summary contains a description of the principal tax laws of Hong Kong, as in effect on the date of this prospectus supplement, and is subject to any change in the tax laws of Hong Kong that may come into effect after such date (which may have retroactive effect).

No Hong Kong tax will be required to be withheld from payments of principal or interest on the Notes.

Interest on the Notes is not subject to Hong Kong profits tax, except where the interest is received by or accrued to a financial institution (as defined in the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Chapter 112 of the Laws of Hong Kong) through or from the carrying on by the financial institution of its business in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong profits tax is not chargeable in respect of capital gains from the sale of property such as the Notes. However, trading profits from the sale, disposal or redemption of the Notes by persons carrying on a trade, profession or business in Hong Kong where such profits are derived from or arise in Hong Kong from such, trade, profession or business are chargeable to profits tax currently at the rate of 16.5% on corporations and 15% on individuals. Profits from the sale of Notes effected on the SEHK will be considered to be derived from or arise in Hong Kong. Liability for Hong Kong profits tax would thus arise in respect of trading gains from the sale, disposal or redemption of the Notes realized by persons carrying on a business of trading or dealing in securities in Hong Kong.

No Hong Kong stamp duty is payable on the sale, purchase or other disposal of bonds or notes denominated otherwise than in the currency of Hong Kong, provided that the bonds or notes are not redeemable, and may not at the option of any person be redeemed, in the currency of Hong Kong. Therefore, a sale or purchase or other disposal of the Notes will not be subject to Hong Kong stamp duty.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the Notes acquired in this offering for cash at the “issue price,” which is the first price at which a substantial amount of the Notes is sold to the public. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders (as defined below) who hold the Notes as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment). This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Regulations”), the income tax treaty between the United States and China (the “U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty”), published positions of the Internal Revenue Service, court decisions and other applicable authorities, all as currently in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect).

This discussion does not describe all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be applicable to U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances or U.S. Holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as:

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In addition, this discussion does not address any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. tax considerations or any U.S. federal estate, gift, alternative minimum tax or Medicare contribution tax considerations. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax considerations to them in light of their particular situation as well as any considerations arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Notes that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the Notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnership holding Notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax considerations generally applicable to them of the ownership and disposition of Notes.

We expect, and this summary assumes, that the Notes will be issued with less than de minimis original issue discount.

Interest Payments

Payments of stated interest (including any additional amounts) will generally be included in a U.S. Holder’s income as ordinary income at the time that such payments are received or accrued in accordance with such holder’s usual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Interest income in respect of the Notes will generally constitute foreign-source income for purposes of determining whether any foreign tax credit is available to a U.S. Holder under the U.S. federal income tax laws and will generally constitute “passive category income.”

As described in “—PRC Taxation,” if we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, payments of interest in respect of the Notes may be subject to PRC withholding taxes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of interest includible in taxable income would include any amounts withheld in respect of PRC taxes. If PRC withholding taxes apply to interest paid to a U.S. Holder with respect to the Notes, the U.S. Holder may be able to obtain a reduced rate of PRC withholding taxes under the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty if certain requirements are met. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, if any PRC income taxes were to be paid or withheld on interest and were nonrefundable under the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty, a U.S. Holder may be entitled to a foreign tax credit in respect of any such PRC income taxes, or alternatively, a U.S. Holder may deduct such taxes in computing its taxable income provided that such holder does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for the relevant taxable year. An election to deduct

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foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all taxes paid or accrued in the taxable year to foreign countries and possessions of the United States. The rules regarding foreign tax credits and deduction of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of foreign tax credits or deductions in light of their particular circumstances.

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of the Notes

Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of the Notes, a U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or other taxable disposition (less any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will generally be taxable as interest in the manner described above to the extent not previously included in such holder’s gross income) and such holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Notes. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Notes will generally equal the cost of the Notes. Any capital gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other taxable disposition, such holder’s holding period in the Notes exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will generally be subject to taxation at a reduced rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

As described in “—PRC Taxation,” if we are deemed to be a PRC resident enterprise under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, gains from the disposition of the Notes may be subject to PRC income taxes. A U.S. Holder may use foreign tax credits to offset only the portion of such holder’s U.S. tax liability considered to be attributable to foreign-source income. Generally, gain or loss from the disposition of the Notes will be U.S.-source for foreign tax credit limitation purposes, which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits. However, if a U.S. Holder is eligible for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty, such holder may be able to elect to treat such gain as PRC-source income under the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty. If a U.S. Holder is not eligible for the benefits of the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty or does not elect to treat any gain as PRC-source gain, then such holder would generally not be able to use any foreign credit arising from any PRC tax imposed on the disposition of the Notes, unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from non-U.S. sources. The rules regarding foreign tax credits and deduction of foreign taxes are complex. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their eligibility for benefits under the U.S.-PRC Income Tax Treaty and the availability of foreign tax credits or deductions in light of their particular circumstances.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS IS INTENDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE TAX ADVICE. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO THEM OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES IN THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, dated as of the date of this prospectus supplement between us and the underwriters named below, for whom Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C., BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited are acting as representatives, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of the Notes of each series set forth opposite its name below:

The underwriters are offering the Notes subject to their acceptance of the Notes from us, and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the Notes are subject to approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters must purchase all the Notes if they purchase any of the Notes. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel, or modify offers to investors and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Notes of each series directly to the public at the offering prices described on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial offering of the Notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms. The offering of the Notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

Certain of the underwriters are not broker-dealers registered with the SEC. Therefore, to the extent they intend to make any offers or sales of Notes in the United States, they will do so only through one or more registered broker-dealers in compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations, and FINRA rules. Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. will offer the Notes in the United States through its registered broker-dealer affiliate Goldman, Sachs & Co. Neither China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited nor BOCOM International Securities Limited is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC, and, to the extent that its conduct may be deemed to involve participation in offers or sales of the Notes in the United States, those offers or sales will be made through one or more SEC-registered broker-dealers in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts that we will pay to the underwriters in connection with this offering:

Expenses associated with this offering to be paid by us, other than underwriting commissions and discounts, are estimated to be US$2.3 million.

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We have agreed that, for a period until 10 days after the date of closing (which is expected to be the fifth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement), we will not, without the prior written consent of the representatives, offer, sell, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of any securities issued or guaranteed by us that are substantially similar to the Notes. The underwriters in their sole discretion may consent to the offering and sale of such securities by us at any time without notice. We have also agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The Notes will constitute a new class of securities with no established trading market. Application will be made to the SEHK for the listing of, and permission to deal in, the Notes by way of debt issues to Professional Investors only as described in this prospectus supplement. However, we cannot assure you that the prices at which the Notes will sell in the market after this offering will not be lower than the initial offering price or that an active trading market for the Notes will develop and continue after this offering. The underwriters have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market-making activities with respect to the Notes at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, the Notes.

The underwriters (or their affiliates) may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Covering transactions involve purchase of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the Notes originally sold by such dealer are purchased in a stabilizing transaction or a covering transaction to cover short positions. Neither we nor the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Notes. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

We expect to deliver the Notes against payment for the Notes on or about the date specified in the last paragraph of the cover page of this prospectus supplement, which will be the third business day following the date of the pricing of the Notes. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally settle in two business days, and purchasers who wish to trade Notes on the date of pricing will be required, by virtue of the fact that the Notes initially will settle in T+3, to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers of the Notes who wish to trade the Notes on the date of pricing should consult their own advisor.

The address of Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. is 68/F, Cheung Kong Center, 2 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong. The address of BofA Securities, Inc. is One Bryant Park, New York, New York, 10036, United States. The address of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, United States.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption, and Other Disposition of the Notes outside of the United States

Canada

The Notes may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

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Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

Prospectus Directive Public Offer Selling Restriction

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Member State”), no Notes have been offered or will be offered pursuant to this offering to the public in that Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Notes that has been approved by the competent authority in that Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of Notes may be made to the public in that Member State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

provided that no such offer of Shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any Shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold, or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell, or otherwise make available any Notes to any retail investor in the EEA.

For the purposes of this provision:

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United Kingdom

No invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”)) received by the underwriters in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes may be communicated or caused to be communicated except in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to the underwriters. All applicable provisions of FSMA must be complied with respect to anything done or to be done by the underwriters in relation to any Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

In addition, each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any Notes to any retail investor in the UK.

For the purposes of this provision:

Hong Kong

You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about any of the contents of this document, you should obtain independent professional advice. The Notes are only available in Hong Kong or to persons resident in Hong Kong who are (a) “professional investors” as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK; or (b) acquiring the Notes in circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. Each purchaser of the Notes in the United States who is a resident of Hong Kong, by accepting delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, will be deemed to have represented, agreed and acknowledged that (a) it is a “professional investor” as defined in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the SEHK; or (b) it is acquiring the Notes in circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Chapter 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance.

No advertisement, invitation, or document relating to the Notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) has been issued or had in possession for the purposes of issue or will be issued or had in possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, other than with respect to Notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person other than with respect to the Notes which are or are

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intended to be disposed of only to persons outside of Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus has been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may any Notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person that is:

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

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China

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be circulated or distributed in China and the Notes may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any PRC resident.

Cayman Islands

No Notes will be offered or sold to the public in the Cayman Islands.

British Virgin Islands

No invitation will be made directly or indirectly to any person resident in the British Virgin Islands to subscribe for any of the Notes.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advising, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing, and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have in the past engaged, and may in the future engage, in transactions with and perform services, including financial advisory, commercial banking, and investment banking services, for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. We may enter into hedging or other derivative transactions as part of our risk management strategy with the underwriters and their affiliates, which may include transactions relating to our obligations under the Notes. Our obligations under these transactions may be secured by cash or other collateral. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and/or instruments, its direct or indirect subsidiaries and consolidated affiliated entities. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments. The underwriters or certain of their affiliates may purchase Notes and be allocated Notes for asset management and/or proprietary purposes and not with a view to distribution.

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LEGAL MATTERS

We are being represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP with respect to legal matters of United States federal securities and New York State law, by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom with respect to legal matters of Hong Kong law, by Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to legal matters of Cayman Islands law, and by Han Kun Law Offices with respect to legal matters of PRC law. The underwriters are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP with respect to legal matters of United States federal securities and New York State law and Jingtian & Gongcheng with respect to legal matters of PRC law. The validity of the debt securities will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom may rely upon Maples and Calder (Hong Kong) LLP with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law and Han Kun Law Offices with respect to matters governed by PRC law, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP may rely upon Jingtian  & Gongcheng with respect to matters governed by PRC law.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Baidu, Inc. appearing in Baidu, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the effectiveness of Baidu, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The offices of Ernst & Young Hua Ming LLP are located at Level 16, Ernst & Young Tower, Oriental Plaza, No. 1 East Chang An Avenue, Dong Cheng District, Beijing 100738, the People’s Republic of China.

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BAIDU, INC.

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in millions of Renminbi (“RMB”), and in millions of U.S. Dollars (“US$”), except for number of shares and per share data)