China property developer Shimao faces liquidation petition from state-owned bank

People walk past the logo of property developer Shimao Group near Shimao Tower in Shanghai, China January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Aly Song

Chinese developer Shimao Group said on Monday China Construction Bank (Asia) had filed a liquidation petition against it in Hong Kong over unpaid debts, a rare case of a state-owned bank taking such legal action in the property downturn.

The petition centres on Shimao's failure to repay loans of HK$1.58 billion ($201.75 million) and contrasts with legal processes against rival firms such as China Evergrande Group and Country Garden for defaulting on their debts that were launched by overseas-based creditors.