Evergrande avoids default, debt worries persist.

Evergrande, one of China’s largest property developers, has managed to avoid defaulting on its debt obligations, but concerns about its massive debt load continue to persist.

The company, which has been struggling with a liquidity crisis for months, announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with bondholders to settle interest payments due on its offshore bonds. The news came as a relief to investors, who had feared that a default by Evergrande could trigger a wider financial crisis in China.

However, the company’s troubles are far from over. Evergrande still has more than $300 billion in debt, and its ability to service that debt remains in question. The company has been selling off assets and cutting costs in an effort to raise cash, but it is unclear whether these measures will be enough to stave off a default.

Moreover, Evergrande’s troubles have raised concerns about the broader health of China’s property market. The country’s real estate sector has been a key driver of economic growth in recent years, but it is now facing a number of challenges, including rising debt levels, slowing sales, and tighter government regulations.

Some analysts have warned that a collapse of Evergrande could trigger a wider crisis in the property market, with other developers also struggling to service their debts. This could have serious implications for China’s economy, which is already grappling with a slowdown in growth and rising inflation.

Despite these concerns, Chinese authorities have so far been reluctant to intervene in Evergrande’s affairs. The government has signaled that it will not bail out the company, and has instead urged it to resolve its debt problems through market-based solutions.

This approach reflects a broader shift in China’s economic policy, as the government seeks to reduce its role in the economy and promote market-based reforms. However, it also raises questions about the government’s ability to manage potential financial risks, particularly in the property sector.

For now, Evergrande’s ability to avoid default has provided some relief to investors and policymakers. But the company’s massive debt load and the broader challenges facing China’s property market mean that the risks of a wider crisis remain very real.