Core Viewpoint - Vanke continues its "slimming" plan by divesting its ice and snow business, with Hong Kong Travel Group acquiring a 75% stake in two of Vanke's subsidiaries related to the ice and snow sector [1][10]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction involves two core assets: the heavy asset Songhua Lake Resort and the light asset Wan Ice and Snow management platform [3]. - Songhua Lake Resort, located in Jilin Province, covers an area of 220 hectares, features 50 ski trails totaling 55 kilometers, and has a daily reception capacity of 15,000 visitors [3]. - Wan Ice and Snow Company manages seven ski resorts for the 2024-2025 season, operating 115 ski trails over 390 hectares, with an annual visitor capacity of nearly 2 million [3]. Group 2: Historical Context - Vanke's involvement in the ice and snow business began in 2011, with significant operations starting in 2015 when the Songhua Lake Ski Resort opened [4]. - The ice and snow division was established in 2017, aiming to capitalize on the booming ice and snow industry following China's successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics [4][5]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Challenges - The ice and snow industry is characterized by high investment, long cycles, and slow returns, leading Vanke to rely on real estate to subsidize its ski resorts and related assets [7]. - In the 2016-2017 season, Songhua Lake generated revenue of 110 million yuan, while real estate sales exceeded 300 million yuan, indicating a reliance on real estate for profitability [8]. - By 2020, Vanke's ice and snow business accounted for only 1.03% of total revenue, prompting the company to dissolve its independent ice and snow division [8]. Group 4: Industry Trends - The divestment of Vanke's ice and snow business reflects a broader trend in the real estate sector, where companies are retreating from the cultural tourism segment amid deep industry adjustments [16]. - Major real estate firms, including Evergrande and Wanda, have been selling off cultural tourism assets to alleviate liquidity pressures, with state-owned enterprises becoming the primary acquirers of these assets [17][18].