China Developers Were in Weakened Position Even Before Virus Hit

A delivery driver wearing a protective mask travels along a road past an idle construction site in Shanghai, China on Feb. 27.

Photographer: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg
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Developers in China were in a weakened state even before this year’s coronavirus hit, adding to challenges as they head into what’s shaping up to be the worst economic slump in more than four decades.