A new comprehensive study found that China is overhauling its decade-long Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure scheme that has invested billions of dollars into developing nations. According to AidData, a research lab at the university of William & Mary, Chinese leaders are looking to “de-risk” by adjusting the worldwide lending initiative to mitigate risks of not being repaid. Beijing also is attempting to limit its reputational damage in these developing markets, as a recent Gallup World Poll found that average disapproval ratings in low- and middle-income countries have soared since 2019. The report found that the Chinese government is addressing project performance risk and minimizing exposure to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements.... China Revamps Belt and Road Initiative as Borrowers Face Solvency Crises: Report
A new comprehensive study found that China is overhauling its decade-long Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure scheme that has invested billions of dollars into developing nations. According to AidData, a research lab at the university of William & Mary, Chinese leaders are looking to “de-risk” by adjusting the worldwide lending initiative to mitigate risks of not being repaid. Beijing also is attempting to limit its reputational damage in these developing markets, as a recent Gallup World Poll found that average disapproval ratings in low- and middle-income countries have soared since 2019. The report found that the Chinese government is addressing project performance risk and minimizing exposure to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) elements.... 
Five Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have introduced legislation to counter the threats posed by China’s presence in Cuba. “The Chinese Communist Party’s deepening military and intelligence partnership with Cuba directly threatens U.S. national security,” Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the committee’s ranking member, said in a Nov. 7 statement announcing the bill’s introduction. Mr. Risch added: “The fact that China has multiple intelligence facilities in Cuba less than 100 miles from our shores and in close range to a U.S. military base proves there is no ‘thaw’ in relations with either of these malign actors. The CEASE Act will provide the tools necessary to counter these urgent threats.”...
News Analysis Is there big trouble in little China? The world’s second-largest economy is grappling with a tsunami of economic challenges, from deflation threats to shrinking factory activity. But the new threat to the Chinese economic landscape might be foreign capital waving goodbye to Beijing. In recent years, multinational corporations in many different industries have become concerned with various geopolitical risks, central government intervention, and anemic growth. This is in addition to the wave of domestic problems, like ballooning local government debt and the collapse of the nation’s property sector, which accounts for about 30 percent of gross domestic product....
In a significant move during the G7 trade ministers’ meeting in Osaka, Japan, a joint declaration was made advocating for the swift repeal of international bans on Japanese seafood imports. This initiative comes against the backdrop of intensified scrutiny over China’s aquatic products, which have reportedly surpassed acceptable heavy metal limits. The meeting concluded on Oct. 29, and culminated in a unified call to action, urging the prompt elimination of embargoes that hinder the trade of Japanese aquatic goods, which also includes the latest import restrictions on Japanese foods. Although no direct references were made, the statement appeared to implicitly challenge the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), demanding an end to the embargo on Japanese food items....