Broken dreams, shattered families in China's unfinished apartments

TONGCHUAN — Construction worker Shi Tieniu bought a presale apartment in an industrial city in northwestern China's Shaanxi province, billed as a"superior product" to be"passed down through generations".

"I want this to be finished as soon as possible, so my elderly parents have somewhere to spend their final years... I have no money now, I've lost my family property and all that's left is this unfinished building."Mr Shi Tieniu, 39, sits on a bed as he poses for a photo at his apartment, on Sept 12, 2023.

Since 2015, construction repeatedly stalled but flats continued to be sold until 2020, residents say. The names of the developer and project changed several times, according to multiple housing contracts seen by Reuters. The developer could not be contacted for comment. Tongchuan city government and China's housing ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Many of Mr Shi's neighbours are retirees who had bought apartments for their unmarried sons, or labourers who cannot afford to rent elsewhere.

"My life savings were spent here. My son is still unmarried. I'm already 60, after a few years I won't be able to climb so many stairs," said a resident and former coal miner surnamed Gao who paid 240,000 yuan for a flat in 2018.A home buyer surnamed Gao, 60, sits on his makeshift bed as he poses for a photo, at his apartment.

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