China’s indebted property sector highlights a fading economic revival

Xi Jinping's mission is not only to control the housing bubble, but rein in untethered industries and foreign capital

China's economy has become heavily dependent on property development over the last decade. High-rise apartments have mushroomed across hundreds of cities to house a growing white-collar workforce, while glass and steel office blocks are dominating city centres, mimicking Shanghai's glittering skyline.

Valued at more than $50tn after 20 years of rapid growth, Chinese real estate is worth twice as much as the US property market and four times China's annual income.