Haidilao's $14.9M loan to founder fuels offshore trust tax speculation

Haidilao International extended a one-month, $14.9 million loan to founder Zhang Yong at a 0.6% premium, prompting market speculation ahead of Beijing's October 22 offshore trust taxation deadline. The move is seen as potentially linked to tax planning, though the company has not confirmed any such intent. This highlights investor sensitivity to China's tightening offshore tax enforcement.