August 12, 2026Beijing has further loosened home-buying restrictions, offering one of the clearest signs this week that Chinese authorities are still struggling to turn policy support into a lasting recovery in housing demand. The change is particularly significant because it includes homes within the Fifth Ring Road, where restrictions had remained tighter than in the suburbs. The city has also increased the amount buyers can borrow through the state-backed housing provident fund. Beijing’s municipal government says the measures are intended to meet reasonable housing demand and stabilize the market. Beijing government reporting from the first weekend after the announcement showed increased viewings at both new and second-hand homes.