Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the transition of China's property industry from new construction to rental asset operations, driven by the emergence of the C-REIT (China Real Estate Investment Trust) market, which is expected to reshape the competitive landscape and long-term investment thesis of the industry [2][12][31]. Core Insights - **C-REIT Market Potential**: The C-REIT market is projected to reach a market capitalization of approximately US$1 trillion, which is over 30 times larger than its current size. This growth is anticipated to attract long-term yield investors [4][11]. - **Policy Support**: Since the third quarter of 2025, supportive policies have accelerated the issuance of onshore REITs, expanding the asset scope and issuer background, which is crucial for the growth of C-REITs [4][11]. - **Investment Strategy**: Listed developers are seen as a viable way to access the expanding C-REIT theme due to their large rental portfolios and strategic commitment to divesting mature properties into REITs [5][11]. Key Beneficiaries - **Short-term Beneficiaries**: CR Land (1109.HK) is identified as the primary beneficiary in the short term, followed by Seazen (601155.SS) and Longfor (0960.HK), due to their substantial but highly pledged malls [6][11]. - **Medium-term Beneficiaries**: Other developers such as COLI (0688.HK), Vanke (2202.HK), and Poly (600048.SS) may benefit from the expansion of REIT coverage due to their rich non-retail rental assets [6][11]. Market Dynamics - **Transition Drivers**: The transition is driven by diminishing housing demand due to aging demographics and regulatory changes that have lowered development returns on equity (ROE) [13][21][23]. - **Regulatory Changes**: The introduction of the "three red lines" policy has tightened leverage for developers, leading to a shift towards a dual-track housing supply system focusing on public and rental housing [22][23]. Competitive Landscape - **Shift to Rental Focus**: Developers are increasingly focusing on recurring income from rental properties as the attractiveness of traditional property development diminishes. This shift is expected to reshape the competitive landscape and investment thesis of the industry over the next 10-20 years [29][31]. - **Challenges in Transition**: The transition to a rental-focused model is slow due to the asset-heavy nature of rental businesses, slow asset turnover affecting ROE, and limited exit channels for unlocking asset value [29][30]. Long-term Investment Thesis - **Evolving Investment Logic**: The investment logic is expected to shift from high leverage and turnover models to a focus on stable recurring income and dividend visibility, reflecting a more balanced growth approach [31][35]. - **Future Focus on REITs**: As developers transform into landlords and the C-REIT market matures, the focus may shift from developers to REITs with strong recurring income assets, similar to trends observed in developed markets [35][41]. Regulatory Framework for C-REITs - **Development Stages**: The development of C-REITs has progressed through four stages: initial preparation, gradual progress, increased promotion, and full acceleration, with significant regulatory milestones achieved since 2021 [43][44]. - **Regulatory Characteristics**: C-REITs have stringent regulations compared to developed markets, including requirements for shareholding, leverage, and cash distribution [46][48]. Conclusion - The transition in China's property industry towards a rental-focused model and the growth of the C-REIT market present significant investment opportunities. Developers with strong rental portfolios are well-positioned to benefit from this shift, while the evolving regulatory landscape will further facilitate the growth of C-REITs in the coming years [4][11][31].