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China property

China property
China’s property market has surged in recent years. After prices jumped 25 per cent in 2009 alone, the central government imposed austerity measures, including lending curbs, higher mortgage rates and restrictions on the number of homes each family can buy.
Calls to ‘accelerate the development of a new model for real estate’ have featured prominently in government work reports. Pnoto: AFP
Mainland China

Can China’s ‘two sessions’ find a strategy to fix the property rot?

China signals shift from debt-driven housing growth, but sweeping stimulus seen as unlikely.

Two Sessions 2026

China’s leaders outline economic focus ahead of ‘two sessions’ – what to expect

Shanghai

Shanghai eases residency requirements for homebuyers to spark property recovery

China technology

Shenzhen dethrones Shanghai, Beijing as China’s top industrial powerhouse: mayor

Leading in R&D density, AI innovation and start-up cultivation, Shenzhen is building a full-stack AI ecosystem, according to the mayor’s annual work report.

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A humanoid robot prepares a drink at a coffee kiosk in Shenzhen on January 28. Photo: Getty Images
Banking & finance

Standard Chartered’s 2025 profit jumps 16% buoyed by wealth management growth

The London-based bank’s underlying pre-tax profit stood at US$7.9 billion last year, versus a gain of US$6.8 billion in 2024.

Mainland China

Empty shops, falling rents: commercial property suffers in China retail slump

China’s key shopping street rents have fallen to 2018 levels as cautious consumers cut spending and landlords lower prices to fill vacancies.

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China economy

Sofa so bad: China’s home-furnishing sector hits a do-or-die stretch

Falling home prices and relentless price competition are forcing small decor firms into a battle for survival.

China’s furnishing malaise is couched in weaker property demand and a brutal race to the bottom on prices. Photo: Reuters
Banking & finance

China puts another big bank under stricter watch – why now?

Beijing continues to impose stricter regulatory standards on major lenders, shielding the financial system from mounting strains.

International Property

Year of the Horse kicks off with property mega-deals returning to Asia-Pacific

Large institutional capital is flowing back into Asia-Pacific property, with offices, retail and hotels leading early recovery signs.

Shanghai

Green shoots for China property? Maybe – but the turnaround’s still shaky

Home-price declines eased in January and policy support is building, but analysts warn oversupply continues to cloud the outlook.

New and existing home prices across 70 major mainland cities fell at a slower pace month on month in January, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics. Photo: AFP
China's economic recovery

As Chinese provinces slash revenue outlook, analysts warn of debt control

Local governments seen curbing infrastructure spending as Beijing’s fiscal discipline pushes regions to prioritise social services and tech over large projects.

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An unfinished construction project is seen in China’s Anhui province. A number of local-level governments that lent to certain real estate and infrastructure projects have had trouble getting paid back amid a property slowdown. Photo: Getty Images
Shanghai

No floor yet: China home prices keep falling despite policy support

Monthly declines narrowed in January, yet worsening year-on-year prices suggest housing pressures persist.

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Banking & finance

China’s property woes likely to hurt some Hong Kong banks’ 2025 earnings: Citi

Bank of China (Hong Kong) and Bank of East Asia could be affected the most as they have the highest exposure to China’s property sector.

Asia housing and property

The View | Asian property markets’ supply constraints are a double-edged sword

The narrow pool of high-quality assets benefits landlords and affluent investors but poses a challenge to prospective buyers and renters.

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Tokyo Skytree is pictured between buildings in a residential area of Tokyo on February 20, 2025. Photo: AFP
Property policies

Opinion | China’s real estate rethink can help end developers’ debt addiction

The future of Chinese property looks to be smaller and more rational, with a market defined by real estate’s worth rather than volume.

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A woman walks near residential buildings in Beijing, China, on January 19. Photo: EPA
China economy

Opinion | China’s real constraint is where to direct limited fiscal resources

With Beijing focusing on spending priorities, Asian investors and businesses must watch which provinces, sectors and state firms are favoured.

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Shanghai

Why Shanghai is buying small older flats to revive its ailing housing market

Pudong, Jing’an and Xuhui districts will lead the programme, which comes amid signs of stabilisation in the secondary market.

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Mainland China

‘Bleak start’ to 2026 for China’s property sector as sales declines accelerate

China’s top developers slumped in January, with weak demand and fading policy support raising fresh concerns over debt repayment capacity.

Bleak house: China’s top developers slumped in January. Photo: AP
China economy

Opinion | Why China’s persistently low inflation is not all bad news

For investors and policymakers, the key takeaway is what that outcome shows about the economy’s capacity to absorb shocks while rebalancing.

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Hong Kong property

Hang Lung flags ‘tough slog’ for property, looks to mainland malls for growth

Hong Kong developer says property segment recovery will be slow, but sees mainland retail and consumption offering the clearest upside.

China GDP

Historic shift? Why Guangdong could lose its status as China’s No 1 economy

Guangdong has been China’s biggest regional economy for nearly four decades. But its crown is now slipping as the eastern Jiangsu catches up fast.

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Guangdong province is heavily reliant on the megacity of Shenzhen to drive economic growth. Photo: Getty Images
China economy

Video | Scuffles break out at Ikea clearance sale in China

Furniture retailer to focus on targeted growth in key cities, with plans to open 10 small-format outlets over two years.

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China GDP

Tale of 2 megacities: how did Beijing, Shanghai GDPs surpass 5 trillion yuan?

China’s two largest cities are outpacing national growth rates, each generating gross domestic products equal to a small European country.

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China's economic recovery

China’s manufacturing powerhouse cuts 2026 GDP growth target after missing mark

Guangdong province, an industrial behemoth hit by property and global headwinds, shifts focus in a strategic pivot amid national reforms.

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Shanghai

Swire Properties bullish on mainland retail despite slowing market

Foot traffic and sales have been rising across Swire’s mainland portfolio, lifted by Gen Z shoppers, holiday spending and policy support.

Taikoo Li Sanlitun. Photo: Swire Properties
China GDP

China’s divided economy

China is likely to set its economic growth target in a range of 4.5 to 5 per cent after meeting its 2025 goal of “around 5 per cent” thanks to domestic subsidies and strong exports.

China’s divided economy
China economy

Opinion | China’s focus is on stability as the US rocks the global boat

While Beijing has achieved its major economic goals for 2025, this year policymakers might be forced to focus on external crises and US foreign policy.

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China GDP

China’s two-speed economy faces tough 2026 as growth cools

Lost momentum, weak domestic demand and high yardsticks point to a challenging year ahead for the Chinese economy.

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