Inside the Great Wall:Hong Kong/China Property Daily

HPRs reportedly to be launched in Hefei from 1 June

    Multiple sources report that home purchase restrictions (HPRs) could belaunched in Hefei beginning 1 June, affecting nine districts of the city. Somemedia reports say that restrictions on the approval of mortgage loans couldthen follow. At a land auction in the city on 28 April, 5 out of 6 land parcelswere sold at a premium of above RMB10,000 psqm, 300% over the askingprices of individual parcels. (CFI)

    Media: CSRC’s five new focus areas on M&A controls

    According to China Securities Times, CSRC is focusing on five new ways tomonitor M&As in the China stock market. They include: i) enhancing controlsand approvals for back-door listings, such that the approval process for backdoorlistings will be similar to IPOs; ii) supporting innovation in M&As andimproving arrangements; iii) enhancing information transparency; iv)enhancing information disclosures; and v) streamlining the application andapproval process. (China Securities Times, Hexun)

    Additional tightening measures expected for Tier-2 cities

    After reports published by official media Xinhua News on 23 May, the marketis expecting more tightening measures for cities that are experiencing rapidprice increases, such as Hefei, Suzhou, Nanjing and Xiamen. The director ofresearch at Tospur Consulting expects additional tightening measures indifferent areas: i) measures in the land market, such as limiting the size of flatsto be built and setting a price limit in land auctions; ii) house purchaserestrictions; iii) strengthening controls over developers’ development processand their sale and advertising procedures; and iv) differential control measuresaccording to the local situation. (Hexun)

    Hiring intention weakens as 25% of employers freeze or reduce hiring

    A Hong Kong Institute of Human Resources Management survey reveals thatonly 20% of employers have increased the number of employees in 1H16,down 7ppt YoY. In addition, nearly 25% of employers are freezing hiring orreducing headcount, especially those from the retail and wholesale industries.

    The survey sampled 93 companies, which employed more than 110,000 fulltimeemployees. (HKET)

    SHKP may be able to achieve original sales target as sales have improved

    Victor Lui, Executive Director of SHKP (0016.HK), said the company may beable to achieve its original sales target of HK$35bn for FY16 ending June, withsales improving in recent launches. In 5M16, SHKP achieved HK$14.8bn saleswith 1,074 units sold. Previously, the company had cut its sales target by 10-15% from the original one in February as sales slowed. SHKP will have 6-8more launches by the end of 2016, including at Park Yoho, Grand Yoho, theLeung Tak Street project and the former North Point Estate project. (HKEJ)