PwC Slapped with Record US$62.2 Million Fine and Six-Month Ban Over Evergrande Audit Failures
PwC Zhong Tian, the China arm of the global accounting giant, has been fined a record US$62.2 million and banned from auditing for six months for its failure to identify financial misstatements in China Evergrande Group’s accounts between 2018 and 2020. The penalties, the most severe imposed on an audit firm in China, are part […]
While China controls most of the real estate market, Japan continues to dominate ASEAN’s major economies
Though growing rapidly, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Southeast Asia remains more focused on tertiary industries like finance, construction, and real estate, and is particularly prominent in less-developed economies such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. According to a recent study by Guanie Lim and Chengwei Xu, China’s FDI in these sectors may complement, rather […]
Vietnam Ranks as Southeast Asia’s Least Transparent Real Estate Market
Vietnam’s real estate market has been ranked as the least transparent in Southeast Asia, placing 49th out of 89 countries and territories in JLL’s 2024 Global Real Estate Transparency Index. The report places Vietnam behind regional peers Singapore (13th), Thailand (32nd), Malaysia (33rd), Indonesia (40th), and the Philippines (45th) in terms of transparency, highlighting key […]
Malaysia Completes the World’s 2nd Tallest 678.9-metre Merdeka Skyscraper Amid Concerns Over Demand
Malaysia has added yet another architectural marvel to its skyline with the completion of the 678.9-metre Merdeka 118, now the world’s second-tallest building, following only Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The towering structure, which will be fully open to the public later this year, further cements Kuala Lumpur’s position as a city of super-tall skyscrapers. However, the […]
Japanese Companies Pull Out of China as Vietnam Becomes Next Destination
Japanese companies are becoming increasingly cautious about operating in China, as supply chain risks, anti-espionage legislation, and rising geopolitical tensions create an uncertain environment. A recent survey by Teikoku Databank reveals that the number of Japanese companies in China has decreased by 9.4% since its peak in 2012, with 13,034 businesses currently operating in the […]
Foreign Investors Turn Cautious as China’s Real Estate Market Faces Challenges
Amid growing uncertainty in China’s real estate market, foreign investors are becoming increasingly selective, with many shying away from commercial properties, according to Asia.nikkei dated 05 August 2024. In the first half of 2024, cross-border deals in China’s commercial real estate sector dropped by 13% year-on-year, totalling US$3.3 billion. This downturn reflects broader concerns about […]