China Evergrande, the world’s most indebted property developer, is facing further challenges as its chairman and founder, Hui Ka Yan, is suspected by authorities of criminal wrongdoing. This comes after Evergrande filed for bankruptcy protection last month and struggled under its massive debt of over $300 billion. The company’s reckless borrowing and overbuilding led to its downfall, exacerbated by China’s crackdown on debt. The cancellation of meetings with creditors and missed payments have hindered Evergrande’s efforts to restructure its debt, while investigations into current and former officials complicate the situation.
Evergrande’s collapse reflects the excesses of China’s property bubble, as the company borrowed heavily and engaged in lavish spending, including buying a soccer club and owning theme parks. Now, as it races to complete presold apartments and repay debts, Evergrande’s future lies in the hands of China’s criminal justice system. The company is dealing with two major issues: negotiating with overseas creditors on a restructuring plan to address defaulted debt, while struggling with slumping property sales affecting cash flow. Furthermore, criminal investigations into current and former officials add another layer of complexity to Evergrande’s debt crisis.
The impact of Evergrande’s troubles extends beyond the company itself. More than 50 Chinese property developers have defaulted or failed to make debt payments in the past three years. The handling of Evergrande’s fallout by Chinese officials will set a precedent for how similar situations are dealt with in the future. Additionally, the size of Evergrande and the amount of debt it carries is significant, with a substantial portion owed to small or midsize businesses. The company’s unpaid bills, amounting to $82 billion for construction materials alone, are creating economic ripples at a time when China is already experiencing a slump.