Global Restructuring Outlook: China’s real estate reckoning

In this eye-opening episode of A&O Shearman’s Global Restructuring Outlook podcast series, hosts Viola Jing, Partner in the Hong Kong Restructuring Team, and Katrina Buckley, Global Co-Head of Restructuring, delve into the seismic shifts reshaping the restructuring landscape in Greater China.  

With the real estate sector at the epicenter of financial distress, they unpack how government policy, market volatility, and mounting debt have triggered a wave of complex restructuring efforts across both mainland China and Hong Kong.

Listeners will gain insider perspectives on how offshore schemes of arrangement, debt-to-equity swaps, and “closed door” liability management exercises are being deployed to stabilize some of the region’s largest property developers.  

The episode also explores the broader economic implications of these restructurings, including their impact on Hong Kong’s bearish property market, the office rental crisis, and the struggling hotel sector.  

What does this mean for investors, creditors, and policymakers? And how might these developments ripple across the global financial system? 

Tune in to explore how China’s real estate credit crunch is reshaping offshore and onshore restructuring strategies. 

Global Restructuring Outlook 2025 explores the key legal, financial, and geopolitical developments shaping the restructuring landscape worldwide. Featuring expert insights from across jurisdictions—including the U.S., UK, EU, China, and the UAE—the series examines landmark rulings, evolving insolvency regimes, and the growing influence of private credit. Designed for business leaders and restructuring professionals, each episode offers strategic perspectives on navigating distressed situations and unlocking value in complex, cross-border environments. 

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