Expert sees soft landing in end to real estate boom

As long as job market thrives, no reason to worry, economist says

Although real estate data continue to show stagnant growth and home prices remain under pressure, China is still on track to carry out structural reforms, and a so-called "hard landing" for the recent property boom is unlikely, according to an economist from DBS Bank.

"Lots of Western economists insist on a pessimistic view of China because of bleak data so far this year," said Chris Leung, executive director and senior economist of DBS Bank (HK) Ltd. "However, we believe there is no need to exaggerate risk. China's growth rate has been gradually slowing for 12 quarters in a row. If this is not a soft landing, then what is it?"