Image Credits - yicaiglobal
Leading Chinese property developers, including Sunac China and CIFI Holdings, have revealed that some of their projects have been added to local government “project whitelists,” signalling support for loans. This development adds to the trend of Chinese authorities assisting defaulted developers in the real estate sector.
Country Garden, China’s largest private property developer that defaulted on offshore debt late last year, announced that over 30 of its projects are now listed for financing support from local governments. The “project whitelist” mechanism, initiated on January 26, involves 35 cities recommending residential projects requiring financial assistance to banks. The objective is to inject liquidity into the crisis-hit real estate sector.
Sunac, which completed a $9 billion offshore debt restructuring in the previous year, disclosed that over 90 of its projects have been included in whitelists from cities such as Beijing, Tianjin, Chengdu, and Chongqing. The developer highlighted that this support would alleviate cashflow pressures related to project development and operation.
Similarly, CIFI, another major developer currently undergoing an offshore debt restructuring, reported that 18 of its projects have been whitelisted by local authorities, including cities like Chongqing, Beijing, Tianjin, and Wuhan.
The news of projects being included in whitelists prompted positive market responses, with shares of Country Garden rising by up to 4.8% in early Monday trading. Sunac and CIFI also experienced gains of 3.6% and 5.8%, respectively, before retracing slightly in mid-morning trade.
China’s efforts to enhance financing for residential projects are part of broader support measures for real estate firms. However, a significant obstacle remains in the form of banks’ reluctance to lend to the sector, particularly for distressed developers in urgent need of fresh funding. The real estate sector’s challenges have raised concerns about potential spillover effects on the broader economy, and authorities are taking steps to mitigate risks and stabilize the property market.
As the Chinese government continues to navigate challenges in the real estate sector, the inclusion of projects in “whitelists” reflects ongoing efforts to provide targeted support and address liquidity issues. The coming days will likely see intensified initiatives to bolster financing in the residential property market, with a focus on balancing support measures with the need for financial prudence.