A court in Hong Kong has ruled that Chinese real estate giant China Evergrande must liquidate its assets to settle its $300 billion debt.
Judge Linda Chan of Hong Kong delivered the verdict on Evergrande on the morning of January 29. She said the company had failed to present a reasonable restructuring plan despite months of adjournment. “The court now finds that this is more than enough,” Chan explained.
She will announce more details of the decision this afternoon. Observers say the court will appoint a temporary receiver for Evergrande's assets. The company has about $240 billion in assets but more than $300 billion in debt, making it the world's most indebted company.
Evergrande defaulted on its international debt in late 2021, becoming a prime example of the crisis in China’s real estate market. Over the past two years, the company has been trying to convince creditors to agree to a plan to restructure $23 billion in foreign debt. However, the plan has repeatedly encountered difficulties, as its leaders and main branches in China are under investigation.
An Evergrande housing project in Beijing (China) in September 2023. Photo: Reuters
Today’s asset liquidation ruling is expected to further disrupt China’s capital and real estate markets. Beijing is still trying to revive the economy , as the post-Covid-19 recovery has not been as fast as expected.
The country’s property market is at its worst in nine years. The stock market is at a five-year low. The Evergrande news could complicate the authorities’ efforts.
"Evergrande's liquidation is a signal that China is willing to go to the end to end the real estate bubble. This is positive for the economy in the long term, but will cause difficulties in the short term," said Andrew Collier, Director of Orient Capital Research.
Evergrande shares fell 20% before the hearing this morning. Trading is currently suspended.
The liquidation of Evergrande’s assets is expected to be complicated. However, the company’s operations, such as housing projects, are unlikely to be affected in the short term. That’s because it will take creditors months or years to choose someone to oversee Evergrande’s mainland assets.
The Supreme Court of China and the Hong Kong Judiciary previously signed an agreement to cooperate in resolving cases in both locations. Before Evergrande, at least three other mainland Chinese real estate companies have been ordered to liquidate by Hong Kong courts since the property crisis erupted in mid-2021.
Ha Thu (according to Reuters)
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