Asia

The downgrading of Fitch Ratings for China, from China’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) from ‘A+’ to ‘A,’ clearly confirms that China’s economic problems are becoming more fully recognized by the day. It signals the weakening of China’s public finances and the rising trajectory of public debt. The downgrade also highlights China’s long-running debt crisis in the property sector and persistently low consumption. However, it will be extremely difficult for the Xi government to deny that economic policies are flawed. The downgrade has dealt a significant blow to China’s global reputation and standing amid a rapidly shifting global geo-economic situation. Embarrassed by the rating’s forecast, China's Finance Ministry criticized the downgrade. A ministry spoke...

The reach of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extends far beyond its borders, infiltrating oceans, space, and cyberspace. This multifaceted expansion has raised alarms globally, as nations grapple with the implications of China's strategic manoeuvres. From mapping the seabed to deploying advanced satellites and launching cyberattacks, the CCP's activities are reshaping the geopolitical landscape. The CCP's maritime ambitions are evident in its extensive seabed mapping operations. Under the guise of scientific research, Chinese fleets have been systematically charting waters near nations such as Myanmar, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These efforts, ostensibly conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, have sparked protests from n...