China Business Uncovered #4: Inside Vanke and China's Property Reckoning

Program description: China Business Uncovered takes listeners inside China's business world through the eyes of reporters who investigate it firsthand. Featuring open conversations with Caixin journalists, each episode breaks down the most complex developments inside Chinese companies. Tune in to understand how critical stories are covered, what's really happening beneath the surface, and why it matters for businesses and investors operating in and around China. Recorded in Mandarin and produced in English with the help of AI, China Business Uncovered brings Caixin's in-depth investigative reporting to a global audience. Episode intro: For years, Vanke was seen as one of the best-run developers in China's real estate sector. So, when liquidity pressure began to build around the company, it jolted the market. In this episode, host Han Wei speaks with Caixin senior reporter Chen Bo about her investigative reporting on Vanke's crisis — from mounting debt pressure and state-backed rescue efforts to the complex off-balance-sheet funding network that grew around former president Zhu Jiusheng during the boom years. More importantly, through Vanke, they explore the deeper reckoning underway in China's property market: the sector's biggest risks this year, what tools policymakers still have left, and why many in the industry believe a true market bottom remains elusive. Timestamps: (2:47) From model property developer to liquidity crunch (07:12) Vanke's vast "shadow" financing network (16:12) Who is Zhu Jiusheng? (20:51) Shenzhen's shifting rescue stance (24:03) What Vanke tells us about China's property crisis (27:32) Is China's housing market really bottoming out? (32:19) Reading the latest policy signals This episode of China Business Uncovered was based on this Caixin Global story: In Depth: The Vast Funding Network Outside Vanke Produced by Kelsey Cheng and Du Bohan. Subscribe now to unlock full access to Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal for $200 a year. Group discounts are available — contact us for a customized plan.