BackWhat’s next for Hong Kong developers in mainland China?

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SCMP Economy3 hours agoReal_estate1 min readChina

What’s next for Hong Kong developers in mainland China?

Weak home sales and scarce opportunities drive shift toward recurring income and debt reduction.

hong kong real estate property developers

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Hong Kong's major property developers are shifting mainland China investments from residential projects to commercial assets and hospitality, prioritizing recurring income and debt reduction amid weak home sales.

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Hong Kong property developers historically expanded into mainland China through residential projects.

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Hong Kong’s major property developers are shifting investment in mainland China from residential projects to commercial assets, including hospitality, as weak home sales and fewer attractive investment opportunities prompt them to focus on existing properties, recurring income and debt reduction.

“In recent years, after we recycled the capital from our projects, we haven’t really found many good opportunities on the mainland,” Stephen Ng, chairman and managing director of Wharf Holdings, said at its interim results press conference in August.

Wharf’s experience reflects a broader change in how Hong Kong developers are approaching assets in the world’s second-largest economy.

Once an important growth market for Hong Kong’s major developers, mainland China offers opportunities to expand beyond their home market through residential projects and established local connections.

Open Questions

Which specific commercial sectors will attract the most capital?

Although Taiwan's residential price index fell by 3.5% year-on-year, the rental index bucked the trend and increased by 1.7% year-on-year. Experts point out that the hoarding tax increases the cost of ownership, inflation drives up repair expenses, and young people "rent instead of buying" which leads to demand exceeding supply, are the three main reasons for the continued rise in rents.

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Developing·yesterday

URA tells owners to avoid hiring lift company at centre of fire safety probe

Hong Kong’s Urban Renewal Authority has advised property owners to avoid Taizoom Elevator after the firm failed to install fire-resistant door frame components in 338 buildings. The government has suspended the company's performance rating.

SCMP Economy

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Real Estate·yesterday

In the first nine months of this year, China’s complete community construction and renovation completed an investment of 33.61 billion yuan.

Data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China show that from January to September 2026, a total of 16,000 old urban communities have been renovated across the country, benefiting 5.02 million residents. At the same time, ultra-long-term special treasury bond funds supported the renewal and installation of old elevators, and a total investment of 33.61 billion yuan was completed in the construction and renovation of complete communities.

中国新闻网

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Real Estate·2 days ago

During China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” period, 1,500 major projects will be implemented to renovate and upgrade factories in old neighborhoods.

Six departments including the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Renovation and Upgrading of Old Block Factory Areas", proposing the orderly implementation of 1,500 major projects for the reconstruction and upgrading of old block factory areas during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, and incorporating them into the urban renewal implementation system.

中国新闻网

3 min read

Developing·2 days ago

It’s not easier to get a loan even if the housing market is cold! The first-time purchase interest rate is astonishingly high at 3%, and some banks are suspending collection of goods.

Taiwan's real estate market has cooled down, and mortgage conditions have not been relaxed. Although the central bank has relaxed the loan percentage for second homes, the interest rates for some first-time homebuyers have reached 3%, and it is 70% difficult to get loans for second homes. Some private banks have suspended the loan until December, mainly due to the high concentration of real estate loans and the crowding out of corporate financing needs.

自由时报

2 min read

Developing·3 days ago

The Ministry of the Interior will launch a second ladder to extend the life of old homes next year. You can also apply for subsidies for shared spaces in apartments.

The Ministry of the Interior stated that the Old Home Life Extension Program is now available in 21 counties and cities across Taiwan, with a total of more than 26,000 application consultations and 1,359 applications accepted. The Ministry of the Interior will review the allocation of funds based on the local review situation, and it is expected that the second tier of acceptance will be announced from January to May next year at the earliest.

自由时报

2 min read

What’s next for Hong Kong developers in mainland China?

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Can’t afford to buy or rent soon? House prices have fallen, but rents have skyrocketed. The cruel truth is exposed: Tenants become the last leek

URA tells owners to avoid hiring lift company at centre of fire safety probe

In the first nine months of this year, China’s complete community construction and renovation completed an investment of 33.61 billion yuan.

During China’s “15th Five-Year Plan” period, 1,500 major projects will be implemented to renovate and upgrade factories in old neighborhoods.

It’s not easier to get a loan even if the housing market is cold! The first-time purchase interest rate is astonishingly high at 3%, and some banks are suspending collection of goods.

The Ministry of the Interior will launch a second ladder to extend the life of old homes next year. You can also apply for subsidies for shared spaces in apartments.