A Hong Kong court has adjourned the hearing for the liquidation petition against Chinese developer Country Garden to January 20, 2025, providing a crucial reprieve as the company works to finalize its offshore debt restructuring plan.
Key Insights:
Liquidation Petition:
- Filed by Ever Credit Ltd, a unit of Hong Kong-listed Kingboard Holdings, in February due to non-payment of a US$205 million (RM951.25 million) loan.
- Country Garden defaulted on US$11 billion worth of offshore bonds last year.
Debt Restructuring Plans:
- The developer plans to publish offshore debt restructuring term sheets to creditors in September.
- It aims to seek court approval for the arrangement early next year.
Industry Context:
- The petition arises amidst Chinese authorities' efforts to revive the property sector, which has been in a debt crisis since mid-2021.
- Several developers, including China Evergrande Group, have faced liquidation lawsuits due to offshore debt defaults.
Support for Adjournment:
- Country Garden's lawyer, Jose-Antonio Maurellet, highlighted substantial progress in debt restructuring with regular meetings between the company and advisers to creditors.
- Both a bank lender group and a bondholder group supported the adjournment to allow the restructuring to proceed.
Impact of Liquidation:
- A liquidation order would further deteriorate the outlook for China’s property sector despite ongoing stimulus measures since 2022.
- The developer currently employs over 40,000 full-time employees and manages 3,134 projects, primarily in mainland China.
Market Reaction:
- Shares of Country Garden in Hong Kong have been suspended from trading since April 2, pending the release of its 2023 financial results.
The adjournment offers a temporary relief to Country Garden, enabling it to present a viable debt restructuring plan and potentially avert liquidation. The ongoing restructuring efforts and their outcomes will be critical for the developer and the broader Chinese property sector.

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