Advertisement

Hong Kong’s audit watchdog expands probe into embattled China Evergrande’s property services unit

  • Hong Kong’s audit regulator will look into 13.4 billion yuan of deposits the subsidiary used to back several loans
  • The investigation will also cover the audit work carried out by PwC on the company’s 2020 annual accounts

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The Hong Kong audit authority is expanding its probe into Evergande’s property services group. Photo: EPA-EFE

Hong Kong’s audit regulator has expanded its probe into the property services arm of embattled developer China Evergrande to look into 13.4 billion yuan of deposits the subsidiary used to back several loans, later revealed to have been channelled to its parent.

Advertisement
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said in relation to the 13.4 billion yuan deposits used as pledge guarantees by Evergrande Property Services, disclosed by China Evergrande in an exchange filing last month, the inquiry will scrutinise the financial statements of Evergrande Property Services for the financial year ended December 2020, and the six-month period ended June 2021.

The investigation will also cover the audit work carried out by PwC on the company’s 2020 annual accounts, the FRC said in a press release issued on Monday. PwC said it does not comment on client matters when asked by the Post about the FRC’s investigation.

Advertisement

“The FRC publicly announces the initiation or extension of the scope of investigations when considered necessary in the circumstances in order to protect the interests of shareholders and the investing public,” it said in the statement Monday.

The announcement is also intended to “maintain public confidence in our financial markets and independent auditor regulation,” it said. The watchdog had previously only announced the results of its investigations.

Advertisement