China Evergrande braces for payment deadline after doubting availability of funds - Reuters

A traffic light is seen near the headquarters of China Evergrande Group in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China September 26, 2021.

HONG KONG, Dec 6 (Reuters) - After lurching from deadline to deadline, China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) is again on the brink of default, with pessimistic comments from the property developer raising expectations of direct state involvement and a managed debt restructuring.

Friday's statement was followed by one from authorities in its home province of Guangdong, saying they would send a working group to Evergrande at the developer's request to oversee risk management, strengthen internal control and maintain operations.

The central bank, banking and insurance regulator and securities regulator also released statements, saying risk to the broader property sector could be contained.