Today’s China Real Estate Links | February 20, 2012

Here is a list of the day’s latest China real estate news collected from around the web:

• China acts to crank up credit as lending, economy slow

  China’s central bank cut the amount of cash banks must hold in reserves on Saturday, boosting lending capacity by an estimated 350-400 billion yuan ($55.6-$63.5 billion) in a bid to crank up credit creation as the world’s second-biggest economy faces a fifth successive quarter of slowing growth.

• China’s January Housing Prices Post Worst Performance in a Year on Curbs

  China’s January home prices recorded their worst performance in at least a year, with none of the 70 cities monitored by the government posting gains as Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated his determination to maintain property curbs.

• Shanghai home inventory up 50%

  NEW home inventory rose more than 50 percent in Shanghai and more than 40 percent across the country over the past year as austerity measures imposed by the central government remain effective in dampening buyer interest.

• City changes tax policy on housing

  The Shanghai city government is offering lower taxation for the average home purchase after revising the standards for “ordinary” houses on Thursday. However, experts are cautious about whether the new standards will help “wait-and-see” homebuyers make faster decisions.

• Philippine mall chain cashes in on China’s expansion

  The Philippines’ largest shopping mall operator said on Friday that its profits increased strongly in 2011 as an ambitious expansion plan at home and in China paid dividends.

• Hong Kong Rent Topping Manhattan Doesn’t Faze Forever 21 in China

  Retailers from Forever 21 Inc. to Gap Inc. (GPS) have rushed to Hong Kong to reach the 28 million Chinese tourists passing through last year. To do so, they are paying some of the world’s highest rents.

• Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. to Report Fourth Quarter and Full year 2011 Financial Results

  Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (“Xinyuan” or “the Company”) (NYSE: XIN), a residential real estate developer with a focus on high growth, strategic Tier II cities in China, today announced that it plans to release fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results on Thursday February 23rd, 2012, before the market opens.

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