Hong Kong China Property Daily:Inside the Great Wall

A recent meeting of the Central Politburo said that it will speed up next yearthe study of a long-term mechanism for the stable and healthy growth of theproperty sector, reported Economic Information Daily, a financial newspaperunder the official Xinhua News Agency. The report commented that housing isfor living, not speculation. It said the long-term mechanism is to help form astable market and policy expectations, and thus aid the housing market tobecome rational. (CFI).

    Franco Leung Chun Bong, an expert from Moody’s, commented that propertyprices in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities have been increasing rapidly in the past 6-12months. The tightening policies could increase the risk of slower sales despitea generally stable market environment. However, a significant decline inproperty prices is unlikely in the next 6-12 months. Major reasons include: i)the likelihood of government support given the importance of the propertymarket to the economy; ii) current tightening measures are not as strong asthose in the tightening cycles of 2011 and 2014; iii) a loosened liquidityenvironment; and iv) low inventory levels in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. (CFI).

    Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee announced yesterday at a press conference that she willbe a candidate in the election for the next Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Herslogan is “Put back on the right track”. She said the rejection of thegovernment’s political reform proposal and the Occupy protests have led todivision and hostility in society, which have ruined the image of HK. She isstanding for election to make a better HK, she added. (HKEJ, SCMP).