36氪·2026-01-14 09:47Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the retirement of Yu Liang, a significant figure in China's real estate industry, marking the end of his long career at Vanke, and reflects on his contributions and the challenges faced by the company during his tenure [4][5][10]. Group 1: Retirement Announcement - Yu Liang submitted his resignation to Vanke's board on January 8, 2026, due to reaching retirement age, and will no longer hold any position within the company [5]. - His departure is seen as a signal of Vanke's completion of a phase of "soft landing" amid ongoing industry challenges [5][10]. Group 2: Industry Challenges and Responses - Yu Liang has been vocal about the challenges in the real estate sector, coining terms like "black iron era" to describe the current state of the industry, emphasizing the need for survival and adaptation [6][22]. - In 2024, Vanke reported its first annual loss of 49.478 billion yuan, the largest in its history, highlighting the severe financial difficulties faced by the company [7][25]. Group 3: Career Highlights and Strategies - Yu Liang joined Vanke in 1990 and played a crucial role in its growth from a sales volume of 3 billion yuan to over 700 billion yuan, witnessing both rapid expansion and subsequent industry downturns [9][12]. - He implemented a strategy focused on mergers and acquisitions, enhancing operational efficiency, and introduced the "5986 model" for rapid project turnover, which helped Vanke maintain revenue during economic downturns [19][24]. Group 4: Transition and Future Outlook - Following his resignation as chairman in early 2025, Yu Liang expressed cautious optimism about the real estate market's recovery, indicating a potential return to stable growth [25]. - His retirement marks a significant transition for Vanke, leaving the company to navigate an uncertain future without his leadership [10][26].