Real Estate & Investment News in China from Propertyshowrooms.com

Beijing lifts real estate restrictions for foreign investors

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Beijing government has lifted restrictions on foreign nationals buying property in the city. Overseas investors were previously limited to purchasing certain types of properties in Beijing, but a decline in foreign investment has led to a change in policy for the duration of this year.

As well as restricting the kind of property foreign investors could buy, the Beijing government also stipulated that non-Chinese buyers needed to be resident in China for at least 12 months before they could purchase real estate, reports Overseas Property Professional (OPP). However, the restrictions, which were introduced in 2007, have now been lifted for 2009.

The move is believed to have been prompted by a significant fall in foreign investment in Beijing. Government figures reveal that before the restrictions were introduced foreign buyers accounted for eight per cent of all investors in property in Beijing. However, this fell to 0.5 per cent in 2008.

A spokesman for the National Association of Realtors told OPP: "It's a welcome sign for Beijing's government to remove the restrictions of foreign nationals' purchase of real estate in Beijing in 2009. Hopefully other regions will follow suit."

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DTZ warns of property oversupply

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The U.K.-based property consultancy company DTZ Holdings said in its latest report that China’s property market may face challenges from oversupply this year. According to the report, the unsold residential properties in nine Chinese cities, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, amount to 38 million square meters. The inventories in the first-tier cities will be reduced in about...

Macquarie cuts price for high-end China property

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

An investment arm of Australia’s Macquarie Group has slashed prices by about a third from levels quoted nine months ago for one of its top-end Shanghai properties, underlining the difficulties investors face exiting China’s cooling real estate market. The residential development, City Apartments, a 16,000 square-meter residential development in downtown Shanghai, is up for sale for...

China property market looks overseas

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dropping property prices and the depreciation of foreign currency are fueling Chinese ambitions to buy homes overseas. These prospective buyers mainly target properties valued from $300,000 to $500,000. About 60% are property professionals who would like to investigate the USA, Europe, Australia and Thai real estate sector and make investments accordingly. A substantial percentage are looking...

Gubei progressing well on up-market project

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Work on a 30-storey, 190,000-square-meter upmarket commercial project has started in Shanghai’s Changning District. The RMB1.3 billion ($190 million) Gubei GIFC II, in southwestern Gubei new area, will consist of Grade-A offices and high-end retail facilities and is due to be completed by the end of 2011, according to its developer Shanghai Gubei. Yu Lin, a marketing...

Real estate funds look to rare opportunities in Chinese property market

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

International real estate funds are seeking partnership with developers in China in what is seen as a rare chance to get into an emerging market at a bargain rate...

Beijing possibly will ease property market control

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Zhang Xin, chief executive, Soho China, one of the mainland’s biggest commercial property developers, said she expects Beijing to announce further measures to loosen its tight control of the property market to avoid a slump. She said, ‘The property market is very important to China. It accounts for 10% of GDP and affects many other industries...

Xinhua Finance releases report on ‘Credit Risks of China’s Real Estate Sector’

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Xinhua Finance has published a report on ‘Credit Risks of China’s Real Estate Sector’ that identifies policy risk as the primary risk factor affecting the credit worthiness of the real estate industry. The report discusses the status of China’s real estate developers, and examines both business and financial issues challenging the industry. The report explains that China’s...

New Shanghai World Financial Center forced to settle for the title of world’s third tallest building

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pity poor Minoru Mori, the Japanese developer of the Shanghai World Financial Centre. The building was billed as the world’s tallest building when it was first announced in 1994, designed to dominate the ongoing game of my-tower-is-bigger-than-yours. This month the Shanghai World Financial Center finally opened to grand fanfare, yet Mori’s reign as the king of...

Investors wait for Chinese property bargains but face long wait

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Bargain-priced Chinese property projects will be up for grabs in coming months as developers scramble to survive falling home sales and a financing crunch. But foreign funds hoping to take advantage of the industry’s troubles can no longer expect a big fire sale. The Chinese government has intelligently eased the tough measures it to cool the...

China remains major real estate powerhouse

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China will remain a major real estate powerhouse even after the Beijing Olympics and despite the backdrop of weaker property prices, according to Hang Lung Properties Ltd...

Chinese property developers face low season

Mon, 8 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Chinese property developers, hard-pressed by falling sales and tightening credit, have never waited for ‘Golden September and Silver October’, the traditional hot season for the property market, this anxiously. But experts say they are likely to be disappointed this year as there is no sign of any recovery in the sector because of a glut and...

Commercial home sales down 10.8%

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Property sales and real estate investment in China continue to dwindle. Now some experts expect the situation will last longer than expected, with some smaller developers folding altogether. Liu Wenwei, an economic planner, said sales of commercial homes totaled 277 million square meters nationwide in the first 7 months this year. The number is down nearly...

Vanke sees short-term property headwinds in China

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In an internal e-mai, Yu Liang, the president of Vanke, China’s biggest listed property developer, said property will probably see a slowdown in growth in the near future, but its long-term outlook is still rosy. China’s property market is showing signs of losing momentum after surging for the past few years. House prices in Shenzhen, Vanke’s...

Pangu Plaza may be world’s most mysterious and expensive residence

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The dragon-shaped Pangu Plaza in Beijing is surrounded by rumors. Shaped like a dragon — and stretching the length of seven football fields — is a colossal row of stone buildings that boast a high-rise office tower, shopping mall and what is referred to as a seven-star hotel (the limit on stars is generally accepted...

Property developers picking up bargains from struggling smaller builders

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

One property tycoon, Vincent Lo, has spent $700 million in the past year acquiring at least a dozen big real estate projects left unfinished by cash strapped developers in China. Vincent Lo, whose latest investment company is China Central Properties, said, ‘Last year, when the market was hot, everyone thought they could make a pot of...

China’s real estate has reason to be optimistic

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The development of real estate in China has good prospects in the long run despite the durrent sluggish demand according to an expert from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Wang Yiming, vice president of the Macro Economy Research Institute of the NDRC, said, ‘The development of real estate has good prospects in a relatively...

Housing prices up 7% in major Chinese cities in July

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the National Bureau of Statistics prices of real estate in 70 major Chinese cities rose 7.0% in July compared to the same month last year. This is 1.2 percentage points lower than the June level which means the growth rate...

Tycoon Finds Opportunity in China Property Slump

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hong Kong property tycoon Vincent Lo made his name and fortune riding China's real-estate boom, and now he sees opportunity as the market stumbles...

Royal to raise $2bn to develop island

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cambodian conglomerate is raising $2bn from private investors, together with Hong Kong-based Millennium Group, to develop the island of Koh Rong...

Chinese real estate boom over, says official media

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

According to National Bureau of Statistics findings cited by state-run Xinhua News Agency the huge profits experienced by China’s real estate market in the past decade have come to an end. The bureau of statistics said an easing economy and shrinking housing demand had started to drive down the growth of house prices. The NBS comments also...

Beijing Olympics - What happens When the Games are Over?

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The clamor to get onboard the Olympic gravy train and make a quick profit has proved too tempting for many property investors. So much so that the Chinese government quickly moved in to make it difficult for foreign nationals to own real estate in the country.

So is it all doom and gloom for the would be Chinese real estate investor? According to an article by Overseaspropertymall.com the actions of the Chinese government could prove too harmful in the post Olympic property market. With the current restrictions in place the supply of new property will out strip the demand and maybe this will force the government's hand to lift restrictions.

The article says, "It seems that right now it already is affecting markets. Many developers also struggle to acquire necessary funds needed to finish constructions and many properties are standing empty. Perhaps this turn of events will prompt the Chinese government to ease on the current investment laws when they realize that it could potentially damage their stability"

A Renmin University report reached the same judgment. “Decreasing demand and increasing supply indicates that housing prices may drop as a whole, and take a deep dive in the second half of this year and next year.”

Property investors will no doubt be watching future developments with interest...

The Olympic Games: Good news for Chinese property investors?

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new report has shown that there are many opportunities for property developers and investors in China thanks to the Olympic Games. Consultants Jones Lang LaSalle have produced a report entitled ‘The Greatest Olympic Legacy’ and they state that China’s capital, Beijing, as undergone a rebirth with major investment happening in transport and infrastructure, retail...

Shenzhen moves up in world rankings

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The writer worked as a publisher and journalist in Hong Kong for many years. When he first went to Hong Kong — don’t ask — Shenzhen was a grubby little village. It is now China’s richest city ranked by per capita GDP and within another decade, it plans to become as modern and competitive as Singapore...

Shanghai Real Estate market to recover in October

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Shanghai’s new house sales in July dropped 30% over the previous month and average selling prices of first-hand houses slid to RMB12,824 per square meter from RMB16,988 in June. Commodity property supplies in Shanghai were 1.74 million square meters in the month, slightly less than the 1.81 million square meters in June. Commodity house supplies rose...

China 'offering good property future'

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China is a hard overseas property market to get into, but those who can obtain real estate there should find good returns, it has been stated...

Profits flat in China real estate

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Property Report Asia states an investigation of 7,136 major real estate enterprises shows that: 57.2% of enterprises surveyed saw profit in the first half of this year unchanged from the same period of 2007. 39.3% predict their profit in the latter half of this year will remain the same as in the first half. 49.1% of real estate...

Real Estate Speculators feel the pinch in China

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dropping property prices after an unrealistic boom period are causing small speculators issues in China “When the real estate sector was booming, every morning, the first thing I did was to think how much I’d earned...

Changzhou National Hi-Tech District attracts overseas investors

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Changzhou, in the southern part of Jiangsu province, and sitting between the two metropolitan cities of Shanghai and Nanjing, is attracting a new wave of foreign investment. Established in 1992, the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District (CND) is the major development zone in Changzhou. It lies to the north of the city, bordering the Yangtze River in...

Kerry, Shangri-La in $1 billion China property project

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Hong Kong-listed Kerry Properties (controlled by the Kuok Group which is the controlling shareholder in the South China Morning Post) said it would invest up to RMB7.3 billion in a hotel and residential project with ancillary commercial use in Hebei province. Kerry will form a joint venture with its sister company Shangri-La Asia, Singapore’s Jeston Investment...

Ningbo Zone moves the city towards a comprehensive economy

Sun, 3 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Ningbo National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, northeast of the city center and to the west of the Beilun District and the Ningbo port, is moving Ningbo from a single export-oriented model to that of a more comprehensive economy. NBHTZ, which covers an area of 18.9 square kilometers, was created in 1999 and upgraded to a...

Shanghai house sales see declining trend

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

At last housing prices in Shanghai are showing signs of decline, with some luxury apartments in the city center seeing a cut in prices while potential buyers remain uncertain as to the right timing for making a purchase. Many potential buyers in Shanghai are waiting for a price plunge following the drop in Shenzhen housing prices...

Beijing immediate property future unclear

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over the past two years the run-up to the Olympics has meant a rush of new commercial and residential space in the Beijing market. However, the boom has been accompanied by fears that once the games end on August 24, Beijing could plunge into a property slump. Most experts do not believe this likely. Property agents say...

Ecological coastal city for China

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A new coastal city will be built in Caofeidian, an industrial zone in North China on the Bohai Sea. DHV, an engineering conultancy, has been commissioned, together with the Chinese planning institute Qinghua and the Arup consultancy from the UK, to carry out a coastal and urban development project in China. The coastal city is to be...

Sun Hung Kai forms China property JV in Sichuan with Henderson, Wharf

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sun Hung Kai Properties and Henderson Land Development and Wharf (all three Hong Kong companies) have formed a joint venture to develop a property project in Chengdu City, Sichuan province, southwestern China. * Sun Hung Kai, Hong Kong’s largest developer by market capitalization, said in a statement it will hold a 40% stake in...

New World RMB307.32 million Henan property deal

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

New World Department Store China has entered into an agreement to acquire land-use rights for a 26,396.4 square meter residential/commercial site in Zhengzhou city in Henan for RMB307.32 million. New World Department Store also acquired the right to use four levels at the podium of a commercial building that will be built on the development site...

Credit Crunch goes to China - Chinese Property Prices set to fall

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Beijing - Sales of residential houses in Shenzhen are forecast to plunge this year to the level of ten years ago as homebuyers and investors continue to adopt a wait-and-see attitude as prices nosedive...

Encouragement to open up in designated zones

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From a site called The Lawyer Blog we get a glimpse of the way in which companies are encouraged to invest in the development of assorted zones. ‘Enterprises that were established on Hainan Island and that were engaged in the development and operation of infrastructure such as ports, wharfs, airports, highways, railways, power stations, coal mines...

Credit crunch unlikely to affect strong Asian economies with China performing well

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China's breathtaking economic growth is unlikely to be de-railed by the global credit crunch making it one of the best places for property investment funds to consider, it is claimed...

Development zones explained

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Development zones are named according to their different focuses, like ‘economic and technological development zone’, ‘economic development zone’, ‘high-tech industries development zone’ and ’science and technology park’. There are also development zones at different levels depending on their supervising institutions, ranging from ‘national’ development zones to ‘provincial’ and ‘municipal’ ones. Development zones are often divided into...

Sheraton Haikou Resort official hotel of the Grand China Air LPGA

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sheraton Haikou Resort will be the official hotel for the Grand China Air LPGA. The 54-hole stroke play event — for women only although this is not mentioned in any of the publicity — will be held from October 24–26, 2008 at the Hainan West Coast Golf Club in Hainan Island’s capital, Haikou. This is...

Foreign investors drawn to real estate

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

International real estate service provider Jones Lang LaSalle said in a recent report that some international groups have raised substantial capital for China property funds and are now deploying the money, while others are moving capital from less vibrant markets in North America and Europe. Blackstone, one of the largest US private equities, in June acquired...

China simplifies process for foreign investment in real estate

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China´s Ministry of Commerce has authorized provincial commerce administration departments to examine and approve foreign company investment in real estate. The commercial departments will be asked to take charge of the approval process for foreign investments in the property industry, and lower-level commerce departments are now authorized to examine material filed by foreign investors. The adjustment aims...

Casamia to handle Best Eastern's Ajman projects

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Best Eastern of China has signed a deal with Casamia Star Gesamplanung Real Estate, a German developer and broker, to handle projects worth Dh400 million...

China tourism market an investment magnet

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Wang Zhifa, National Tourist Administration (NTA) deputy director, said China’s tourism market has become a magnet for international investment, raising about RMB150 billion ($21.8 billion) annually over the past few years. He added, ‘Some high-end international tourism products have made their way into the Chinese market, such as port calls by luxury liners and booming business...

China Poly Real Estate first half up 220-270%

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Property developer Poly Real Estate estimates its net profit in the first half of this year jumped between 220 and 270% from a year earlier. The company did not explain the sharp rise which was against the trend in the property markets of some Chinese cities. In the first half of last year, Poly made a net...

Government to help real estate developers

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Economic Observer, the Chinese language newspaper in Beijing, reports the government is likely to take measures to ease property developers’ funding difficulties caused by loan curbs and falling sales. The source for this is not identified. The Chinese-language newspaper said the People’s Bank of China, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and other ministries...

Lexington Plaza Shenyang opened

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Lexington Plaza Shenyang Rich Gate Hotel has opened and is ready to welcome soccer fans from around the globe for Shenyang is where the soccer portion of the Olympics will be held. The Lexington Plaza hotel has 600 rooms and is in the largest shopping and entertainment complex in China— Rich Gate City. The Lexington Plaza...

Beijing's Cooldown Likely to Be Short-Lived

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Beijing may see higher vacancy rates and lower rents and sale prices in the months immediately after the Olympics, but property agents expect spaces to be filled eventually because Beijing remains a key city for doing business in China....

China property home sales recovery seen in Q4 - Credit Suisse

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Credit Suisse said it maintained its ‘overweight’ rating on China’s property sector despite June new home sales showing weakness in several key provincial cities. It believes a recovery is possible by the fourth quarter. Credit Suisse analyst Ronney Cheung said low sales figures do not bode well for China’s listed developers who are now struggling to...